Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley was suspended for four games without pay by the NBA for his actions during and following the Bucks' Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The NBA made the announcement on Thursday.
During the game, Beverley "forcefully" threw a basketball multiple times at spectators. After the game, he
Beverley will be suspended for the first four games of the 2024-25 season since the Bucks have been eliminated from this year's postseason.
"Patrick Beverley's behavior towards ESPN producer Malinda Adams was unacceptable, unprofessional and failed to meet the standard that NBA players consistently meet in their interactions with the media," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said, via
In the fourth quarter of the Bucks' eventual Game 6 loss that eliminated them from the playoffs, Beverley got into it with a Pacers fan behind Milwaukee's bench. Beverley and the fan appeared to exchange some words before Beverley motioned for the fan to pass the basketball that was next to his seat.
The fan tossed the ball over to Beverley, who caught it and fired it back at the fan. Two of Beverley's teammates, Brook Lopez and Jae Crowder, then had to calm Beverley down before he took a seat. The fan was calmed down by two fans next to him.
The second incident came after the game when Beverley was doing his postgame interview. A reporter, Malinda Adams, asked him a question, and he interrupted to ask if she subscribed to his podcast.
You subscribed to my pod?" Beverley asked.
"Do I subscribe to your pod?" Adams responded. "I do not."
"You can't interview me then," Beverley said. "No disrespect."
Adams posted on social media the following day, saying Beverley apologized, as did the Bucks organization. She thanked everyone for their support.
"I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support," Adams wrote. "I am humbled. Patrick Beverley just called me and apologized. 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."
While it was initially reported that Beverley was banned from being on ESPN, they later responded, saying, "There was an erroneous report that suggested Patrick Beverley was banned from appearing on ESPN. He isn't banned and never was."