NBA suspends Patrick Beverley four games for throwing ball at fan, incident with ESPN producer

The NBA announced Thursday that it has suspended Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley for four games without pay. This came after Beverley threw a ball at fans multiple times during a playoff game and had an “inappropriate interaction” with an ESPN producer after the game.

The two incidents occurred during and after the Bucks’ 120-98 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on May 2. The Bucks are eliminated from the postseason, meaning Beverley’s suspension at the start of the 2024-25 regular season will begin later this year. He is now a free agent and must sign with a team for his suspension to begin.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called out Beverley for his actions. “I just can’t believe he did that,” Smith continued First flap last week. “I have known Patrick Beverley for years. I love the brother. It’s inexcusable. It is unjustifiable… the punishment is imminent and I suspect it will be severe.

“When he threw the ball in the stands, he didn’t mean to hit the woman, he wanted to throw it at the man standing in front of her… but it shouldn’t have been thrown at all. It’s not something you do. You do not do that.”

After the game, Beverley refused to interview ESPN producer Malinda Adams because she wasn’t subscribed to his podcast. Adams took to social media the next day to announce that Beverley had apologized.

“I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support. I am humble. “Patrick Beverley just called me and apologized,” she wrote. “I appreciate it and accept it. The Bucks also apologized. I’ve been in the news for over 40 years and kindness and grace always win.”

Beverley, 35, joined the Bucks in February after spending the first half of the year with the Phiadelphia 76ers. Beverley has played for several NBA teams in his career, but spent the majority of his time with the Los Angeles Clippers.

This story is developing.