Indianapolis police open investigation into ball-throwing altercation at Pacers game – Indianapolis Business Journal

Indianapolis police announced Wednesday that they have opened an investigation into an altercation between “NBA player and citizen” that occurred at Gainbridge Fieldhouse the night Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley was shot. Twice threw a ball at the Indiana Pacers fans in the final minutes of a season loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Police said in a news release that the case had been referred to detectives “who are currently investigating the 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 May 2 playoff game. After another fan lightly tossed the ball back to Beverley, when the Bucks guard extended his arm, he 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. Regardless of what was said, this should never have happened. As simple as that.”

Beverley added that the atmosphere in Indiana was “great,” aside from “a handful of fans” crossing the finish line. The Pacers defeated the Bucks 120-98 and eliminated Milwaukee from the playoffs.

“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 this. He also understands emotionally – this is an emotional game and things happen – unfortunately you are judged straight away and he lets the emotions get the best of him.”