In a bounce-back win against the Pacers, Cavs star big man Evan Mobley was instrumental in giving the team a spark.

The Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin has been suspended one game "for making inappropriate contact and verbally abusing a game official," the NBA announced.

Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin was ejected from Tuesday game against the Cavaliers for his actions toward an official

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA on Wednesday night for inappropriate contact and verbal abuse of a game official.

Indiana Pacers starting wing Bennedict Mathurin received his second technical foul and was ejected with just 3:58 remaining in regulation. Mathurin drew an obvi

Backcourt mates Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combined for 59 points and Mobley notched a 22-13 double-double. Pascal Siakam countered with a productive showing– 23 points, seven boards and four assists– but the Pacers could not make a full recovery in this one.

Just across halfcourt, Cavs sixth man Caris LeVert attacked multiple Pacers defenders off the dribble, forcing both to collapse inside the arc, as Evan Mobley trailed the play. LeVert then flipped the ball to Mobley who confidently stepped into a running pullup 3-pointer in front of an unsuspecting — and late-to-close — Thomas Bryant.

The Indiana Pacers were trying to hang with the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers late in the fourth quarter. Then Bennedict Mathurin melted down.

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) shoots as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Georges Niang (20) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4 ...

Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers 127-117 on Tuesday night.

Pascal Siakam scored 23 points and Bennedict Mathurin 19 for the Pacers, who had their six-game winning streak halted. Myles Turned added 17 points. The Cavaliers led 82-77 in the third quarter before going on a 10-0 run that included 3-pointers by Max Strus, Georges Niang and Mobley. Cleveland led 100-89 after three periods.

James L. Edwards III, Fred Katz and Jay King analyze the Eastern Conference at the halfway point of the season.