The incident that led to the ejections took place with 7:57 remaining in the third quarter. Nembhard, a Pacers guard, had the ball on the wing and drove toward the basket. He elbowed Timberwolves guard Mike Conley to gain separation.

Four of Indiana’s regular starters were out — Pascal Siakam (personal), Tyrese Haliburton (back), Myles Turner (hip), Aaron Nesmith (ankle) — then the fifth, Andrew Nembhard, was ejected in the third quarter. Then Bennedict Mathurin, who has started 45 games for the Pacers this season, fouled out in the fourth.