Report: Patrick Beverley Suspended by NBA
Report: Patrick Beverley Suspended by NBA
Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley has been suspended by the NBA for four games after he threw a basketball at Indiana Pacers fans at the end of Game 6 and then refused to speak with an ESPN media member in the locker room after the game. Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President of the Head of Basketball Operations, announced the suspension per NBA PR’s Twitter account:
Video circulated of Beverley’s action shortly after the game ended. The altercation occurred when a Pacers fan shouted at the Bucks’ bench. Beverley threw the ball at the fans multiple times. Pat then followed up by refusing to answer questions from an ESPN producer, Malinda Adams, because she didn’t subscribe to his podcast. Beverley apologized to Adams for his behavior, but obviously the totality of his actions warranted a suspension in the league’s eyes. The situation isn’t over either, as the Indianapolis Police is also investigating, per Shams Charania:
I don’t think police involvement is necessary, and the league issuing the suspension will be enough of a punishment. The guard mentioned that the fans said something to him, but that he shouldn’t have acted as he did. Assuming that the investigation concludes with no attempt at filing legal charges, the announced suspension and Beverley’s addressing the situation on his podcast (which you’re under no obligation to subscribe to) should be nearly the end of this incident.
Beverley will be an unrestricted free agent this summer having signed a one-year veteran minimum deal with the Philadelphia 76ers last summer. It is unlikely that this suspension will have a major impact on his free agency options.