The ongoing tension between Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin and Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter boiled over in the first quarter of Game 4.
Both players were seen exchanging words in Game 3, but things got physical on Sunday.
Mathurin was ejected from the game after he was given a Flagrant 2 foul for hitting Hunter with a “closed fist.”
Hunter quickly retaliated by running over and shoving Mathurin, sending him sliding to the floor.
Pacers center Myles Turner was also seen running in late to shove Hunter before members from both teams stepped in to help break things up.
Both Turner and Hunter were also assessed technicals.
Hunter was allowed two free throw attempts, making just one of the two shots. He remained in the game and received boos from the crowd after coming off the bench in the middle of the second quarter.
‘NOW THIS IS JUST DIRTY’ Charles Barkley weighs in on Bennedict Mathurin ejection vs Cavs
Video: What happened between Bennedict Mathurin and De’Andre Hunter
Bennedict Mathurin was ejected with a flagrant 2 after this altercation with De’Andre Hunter 😳
Hunter and Myles Turner also received technicals. pic.twitter.com/uHxbpSVfYG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2025
Reaction to Bennedict Mathurin, De’Andre Hunter exchange
Not sure how that Mathurin-Hunter thing turned into the Cavs getting two shots and the ball. Hard to justify why both guys didn’t get the same punishment there.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 12, 2025
I probably would have ejected both Mathurin and Hunter, or kept both of them in. Mathurin has been instigating all series and that had to be kept under control, but Hunter escalated it significantly there. I don’t love keeping one and tossing the other.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) May 12, 2025
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bennedict Mathurin ejected after punching De’Andre Hunter
