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

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

The two incidents happened 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 postseason play, which means Beverley’s suspension will begin at the start of the 2024-25 regular season later this year. He is now a free agent and will need to sign with a team for his suspension to begin.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called Beverley out for his actions. “I just can’t believe he did that,” Smith said on First Take last week. “I’ve known Patrick Beverley for years. I love the brother. It’s inexcusable. It’s indefensible… the punishment is forthcoming and I suspect a severe one.

“When he threw the ball in the stands, he didn’t mean to hit the woman, he meant to throw it at the guy that was in front of her… but you should’ve never thrown it in the first place. It’s not something that you do. You don’t do that.”

After the game, Beverley denied ESPN producer Malinda Adams from interviewing him for not subcribing to his podcast. Adams went to social media the following to day to announced that Beverley issued an apology.

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

Patrick Beverley has bounced around the NBA

Beverley, 35, joined the Bucks in February after spending the first part of the year with the Phiadelphia 76ers. In his career, Beverley has played for multiple NBA teams but has spent the majority of his time with the Houston Rockets (2013-2017) and Los Angeles Clippers (2017-2021). He also played for the Minnesota Timberwolves (2021-2022) and Los Angeles Lakers (2022-2023).

Beverley is known for being a strong defensive player. He was slelected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2017 and the All-Defensive Second Team in 2014 and 2020.

From 2006 to 2008 Beverley played college basketball at Arkansas. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2007 after averaging 13.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest.