Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley has been suspended four games by the NBA for forcefully throwing a basketball multiple times at spectators and for his inappropriate interaction with a reporter during his postgame media availability, the league announced on Thursday afternoon.
These actions took place during and after the Bucks' 120-98 loss on the road against the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of their first-round series on May 2.
Beverley, who head coach Doc Rivers pulled from Game 6 with just 2:32 remaining on the clock with the Bucks down 20 points, was walking to the bench with a basketball in his hands when he got into a heated discussion with a Pacers fan. He then threw the ball at a woman in the stands, only to get the ball back and throw it at a male spectator.
The first time Beverley threw the basketball into the stands, he struck a female fan in the head. It is unknown if any injuries were sustained by the female or male fan that Beverley targeted. The Indianapolis Police have since begun an investigation into the incident, reviewing video footage of what occurred.
The Bucks guard acknowledged his actions recently on his podcast, The Pat Bev Pod, claiming that what took place was his fault.
“Unfortunate situation that should have never happened. What I did was bad and that should have never happened,” Beverley stated. “I have to be better and I will be better. That should have never happened. Regardless of what was said, that should have never happened. Simple as that.”
Beverley went on to explain that more was said than just “Cancun on 3,” which is what was reportedly previously. The 35-year-old guard claims that he was singled out and called something by a fan, although he did not go into the specifics during his podcast.
“I'm here to set the record straight. I was absolutely wrong, and I need to be better, and I will.”
Patrick Beverley's incident with ESPN reporter
After Game 6 concluded, Beverley then made headlines during his postgame media session at his locker, when he interrupted reporters who were presenting questions to him in order to single out a female ESPN employee. Beverley promptly asked her if she was subscribed to his podcast. Once he found out that she wasn't, Beverley demanded that she leave and not partake in his interview session.
ESPN field producer Malinda Adams, whom Beverley asked to leave his media availability, took to social media to clear the air on what happened, stating that the Bucks guard has since privately reached out to her in order to apologize. There were rumors that ESPN had banned Beverley from appearing on any of their programs as a result of that incident, but the company refuted these reports.
The NBA reviewed everything that transpired during and after Game 6 involving Beverley and came to the conclusion that his actions were completely out of line. He will now miss the first four games of the 2024-25 season, assuming he signs a new contract with either Milwaukee or a different team. Beverley will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
This is not the first time Beverley has been suspended to begin a season, as he missed the first game of the 2021-22 season after shoving Chris Paul in the back at the end of the playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers. The league suspended Beverley one game for this action in 2021.
In a total of 73 games this season, 25 of which he played during the regular season with the Bucks, Beverley averaged 6.2 points and 3.3 assists per game. It is unknown at this time whether or not teams will pass up on Beverley in free agency as a result of his ongoing antics resulting in technical fouls and suspensions.
Follow Us
Subscribe