The simmering rivalry between Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin and Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter reached a boiling point during the tumultuous first quarter of Game 4.
After a tense exchange in Game 3, the intensity escalated dramatically on Sunday.
Mathurin found himself ejected from the action following a Flagrant 2 foul, having struck Hunter with what was described as a “closed fist.”
In an immediate response, Hunter charged at Mathurin, shoving him hard and sending him crashing to the floor.
Amid the chaos, Pacers center Myles Turner rushed in to confront Hunter, resulting in both athletes receiving technical fouls as teammates scrambled to diffuse the heated situation.
Following the scuffle, Hunter was given the opportunity to take two free throws, successfully sinking only one. Despite the backlash from the crowd, who greeted him with boos as he returned to the court in the latter part of the second quarter, Hunter stayed composed and continued to play.
