The NBA suspends the Bucks’ Patrick Beverley for four games

Bucks guard Patrick Beverley was suspended four games without pay for throwing a basketball at fans multiple times and for an “inappropriate interaction” with ESPN producer Malinda Adams following Milwaukee’s season-ending loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of their first-round series last week the NBA announced on Thursday.

Indianapolis police announced Wednesday that they were investigating an altercation between “an NBA player and a citizen” after Beverley threw a ball multiple times in the fourth quarter, which ultimately led to a 120-98 loss to the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse a week ago.

The cameras showed Beverley throwing a ball into the stands, where it hit a fan in the head. After reclaiming the ball and throwing it to him, he then shot it back at the fan.

In a news release, police said the case had been referred to investigators “who are currently investigating this situation and are taking all allegations seriously” and that the case will be presented to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office once the investigation is complete.

On an episode of “The Pat Bev Podcast” released Wednesday, Beverley said he was 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, who had a minimum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and then the Bucks this season, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He would lose about $90,000 from the suspension if he re-signs next season to a minimum contract expected to be $3.3 million, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

After the game, Beverley did not allow 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.”

Tim Frank, the NBA’s senior vice president of league operations communications, said in a statement: “Patrick Beverley’s behavior toward ESPN producer Malinda Adams was unacceptable, unprofessional and did not meet the standard that NBA players always meet in their interactions with the media .” “

It’s not the first time Beverley, who just finished his 12th season in the NBA, has been suspended at the end of a season. In 2021, he was suspended for one game while playing for the LA Clippers after pushing Chris Paul in the back as both players headed to their respective benches late in the fourth quarter following a stunning loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 went to the Western Conference finals.

As a result, he served this suspension in the opener of the 2021–22 season.

Beverley, who turns 36 in July, averaged 8.2 points and 5.5 assists in the six games against Indiana in the playoffs and started all games.