Patrick Beverley received a miserable four-match ban for hurling a ball at a woman’s head

Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley got off with a light penalty after throwing a basketball at an Indiana Pacers fan’s head.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Beverley will be suspended for the first four games of the 2024 regular season. The 35-year-old is also suspended for refusing to speak to ESPN’s Malinda Adams after the Game 6 loss because Adams wasn’t subscribed to Beverley’s podcast.

RELATED: Police are investigating Patrick Beverley for throwing a ball to Pacers fans

In his defense, Beverley stated that Pacers fans shouted “obscenities” at him without revealing what was said.

MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 30: Patrick Beverley #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Round 1, Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum Center on April 30, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images).

“No matter what was said… it was more than ‘Cancun on three.’ “Let’s just say it was more than that,” Beverley claimed on his podcast, responding to his inexcusable behavior.

He added: “I haven’t been called that before. Still inexcusable, it doesn’t matter what was said. I have to get better, and I will be better.”

The NBA announced its investigation following last Thursday’s incident during the Bucks’ Game 6 elimination game against the Pacers.

In the final minutes of the contest, a frustrated Beverley began yelling at a Pacers fan sitting behind Milwaukee’s bench.

Beverley threw the ball at the fan, missed its target and hit a woman in the head.

RELATED: Patrick Beverley hints he was called something terrible before throwing basketball at fans

Instead of cooling his anger, Beverley threw the ball again in an overhead motion, aiming for the first fan.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department launched a separate investigation after an off-duty officer at Gainbridge Fieldhouse witnessed the incident last week.

Beverley’s suspension is proving humiliating for a league that has been criticized for it to player-friendly with his discipline.

Over the past two seasons, the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver have faced significant backlash over their handling of problematic player behavior. Examples like Ja Morant’s social media controversies and Draymond Green’s aggressiveness on the court have raised questions about the league’s poor understanding of player behavior.

Ja Morant was suspended for 25 games at the start of the 2023 NBA season after brandishing weapons on his social media multiple times last season.

This year, Draymond Green’s bumbling behavior led to punching opposing players, resulting in two suspensions by the NBA.

The league’s brand continues to be weakened by its lenient, player-centric approach, enabled by a capricious commissioner and the league’s disciplinary offices.

Beverley isn’t the first to perform; he won’t be the last.

Pacers PG Tyrese Haliburton dribbles the ball as Milwaukee Bucks PG Patrick Beverley defends it in the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana. (Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports)

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