Watch: $29,936,173 Pacers starter one ups Joel Embiid and bumps female referee in heated exchange

The Indiana Pacers aimed to shock the Cleveland Cavaliers once more on Tuesday, but things didn’t go in their favor, as they fell 127-117. In the fourth quarter, tensions boiled over when Bennedict Mathurin became agitated after a foul was called on him while the Pacers were trying to close the Cavaliers' lead.

Mathurin was hit with his second and third technical fouls after arguing with referee Natalie Sago, clapping aggressively, and even making contact with her following a foul called on him for an incident with Evan Mobley.

The technical fouls had a significant impact, pushing the Cavaliers’ lead from 120-111 to double digits as Donovan Mitchell converted both technical free throws, and Mobley split his pair.

Watch the moment that led to Mathurin's ejection — who is in the third year of his four-year, $29,936,173 rookie contract with the Pacers — below.

Earlier in the game, Mathurin received a technical for his excessive celebration following a dunk, which the officials deemed inappropriate.

Mathurin’s actions towards the referee was reminiscent of those of Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid in December, when he was ejected by referee Jenna Schroeder during a game against the San Antonio Spurs.

Embiid was given his first technical for arguing with Schroeder, and after continuing to shout at her, he received another technical foul, leading to his ejection before any further play took place.

Furious, Embiid stormed toward the officials after the ejection, only to be held back by teammate Kyle Lowry, coach Nick Nurse and several assistants.

Bennedict Mathurin scores 19 as Pacers lose to Cavaliers

Despite being ejected, Bennedict Mathurin was instrumental for the Pacers, scoring 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Pascal Siakam led the team in its loss with 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Myles Turner contributed 17 points and five rebounds in Tyrese Haliburton's absence.

Four other Pacers reached double digits: Jarace Walker with 11, and Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell each with 10 points.

Donovan Mitchell was the standout player for Cleveland, scoring 35 points and grabbing nine rebounds.

Evan Mobley contributed 22 points and 13 rebounds, Jarrett Allen added 16 points and nine rebounds and Darius Garland chipped in with 24 points and seven assists.