Patrick Beverley calls actions “inexcusable”; Police open an investigation

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis police announced Wednesday that they have opened an investigation into an “NBA player-citizen” altercation that took place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on the night that Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley was in threw a ball at a fan in the final minutes of the season-ending loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Police said in a news release that the case had been referred to detectives “who are currently investigating this situation and are taking all allegations seriously.”

Detectives will present the case to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office after the investigation is complete, the release said.

The cameras showed Beverley sitting on the bench and throwing a ball into the stands, hitting a fan in the head about two and a half minutes before the end of the game on May 2nd. Afterwards, another fan threw the ball back to Beverley, who had his arm outstretched. In return, the Bucks guard fired back at the spectator.

Beverley spoke about his behavior on an episode of “The Pat Bev Podcast” released Wednesday. He said he had been called a word he had never been called before, but added that his own actions were “still inexcusable.”

“I’ll feel better,” he said. “I have to get better, and I will be better. This should never have happened. No matter what was said, this should never have happened. As simple as that.”

Beverley added that the atmosphere in Indiana was “great,” except for “a handful of fans” who crossed a line. The Pacers defeated the Bucks 120-98 and eliminated Milwaukee in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

“I will be better. I have to be better, and I will be better. This should never have happened. No matter what was said, this should never have happened. As simple as that.”

Patrick Beverley

“I’m not going to bring basketball to the bench anymore,” Beverley said. “That… messed up my whole mood.”

After the game, Beverley did not allow ESPN journalist Malinda Adams to ask him a question in a group interview in the locker room. He said it was because she wasn’t subscribed to his podcast. Beverley told her to move her microphone away from his face and eventually asked her to leave the interview circle.

On his podcast Wednesday, Beverley said he has requested this from reporters who have interviewed him since starting his podcast. Beverley said he told Adams that “it was never my intention to disrespect you.”

A day after the loss, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Beverley’s behavior was “not the Milwaukee way or the Bucks way.”

“We’re better than this,” Rivers said. “Pat feels terrible about it. He understands it emotionally too – this is an emotional game and things happen – unfortunately you’re immediately judged and he let the emotions get the better of him.”