Pat Beverley was suspended four games for actions in the Bucks' elimination game

Patrick Beverley was suspended four games without pay by the NBA for multiple incidents during and after the Milwaukee Bucks’ loss in a first-round elimination game to the Indiana Pacers.

In a statement Thursday, the league said it was suspending Beverley because he “forcibly threw a basketball at spectators on multiple occasions and had an inappropriate interaction with a reporter during media availability.”

The cameras showed Beverley sitting on the bench and throwing a ball into the stands, hitting a fan in the head with about two and a half minutes left in Milwaukee’s 120-98 Game 6 loss to Indiana on May 2. Afterwards, another fan threw the ball back to Beverley, who extended his arm toward it, 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,” Beverley 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.”

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. Several prominent ESPN personalities spoke out in support of Adams following the incident.

News of the suspension comes a day after Indianapolis police announced Wednesday that they had opened an investigation into an “NBA player-citizen” altercation that occurred May 2 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse night Beverly repeatedly threw the basketball at fans.

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.

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.”

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.” Adams said she received and accepted direct apologies from both Beverley and the Bucks.

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 understands it emotionally too – it’s an emotional game and things happen – unfortunately you’re immediately judged and he let the emotions get the better of him.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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