The Milwaukee Bucks’ elimination by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs was ugly. Patrick Beverley made it so much uglier.
In the final minutes of the Bucks’ series-deciding 120-98 loss in Game 6, Beverley was seen on the TNT broadcast chucking a ball at a female Pacers fan and hitting her in the head. He then requested the ball from a different fan and harshly threw it back at him.
Beverley proceeded to jaw with the fans behind him as his Bucks teammates and coaches and security dealt with the situation.
According to The Athletic’s Sham Charania, one of the fans yelled “Cancún…Cancún on 3″ as the Bucks were coming out of a huddle.
Beverley will almost certainly be disciplined by the NBA. He was not ejected for the incident, but did not appear in the game again.
Beverley scored six points on 3-of-11 shooting with five assists, two rebounds and zero turnovers. He posted a message of congratulations to the Pacers after the game, then responded to the brewing backlash hours later by complaining that the Bucks had “exchanged” with a fan during the game and that calling the situation “not fair.”
It is unclear if either the man or woman Beverley hurled the ball at were the fan in question. He did not apologize.
Not Fair at all. Exchanged between a fan and our ball club all night. We warned and asked for help all night. Not fair. 🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️ https://t.co/e2o0lcqZtg
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 3, 2024
Patrick Beverley kicks reporter out of scrum for … not subscribing to his podcast, later apologizes
Beverley didn’t make friends in his postgame media availability either, as he bizarrely refused to answer questions from ESPN’s Malinda Adams because she admitted to not subscribing to his podcast.
After taking a question from a different reporter, Beverley then demanded the reporter leave the scrum. CBS Sports’ Jack Maloney noted that Beverley has done this with all reporters since he was sent to Milwaukee at the trade deadline.
Patrick Beverly tells female reporter from ESPN that she cannot interview him since she doesn’t subscribe to his podcast. pic.twitter.com/sRFHiZJaSK
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) May 3, 2024
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Marc Spears were among the voices criticizing Beverley for his behavior, with Spears noted that Beverley had previously disrespected NBPA executive director Michele Roberts in 2020.
But I have to be better. And I will 🙏🏾❤️
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 3, 2024
Adams posted on X Friday morning that Beverley called her and apologized for his actions after the game.
I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support. 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.
— Malinda Adams (@MalindaAdams) May 3, 2024
Despite the apology, Beverley has reportedly been banned from appearing on ESPN studio shows during the offseason, according to Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy. He had previously drawn praise for appearances on “Get Up” and “First Take” in which he had pointed criticism of Chris Paul during the 2021-22 NBA playoffs. He could have a bright future in broadcasting, but won’t get an opportunity to add to his reel this season.
It was a rough night for the Bucks overall, as the Pacers took control quickly and led by double digits for the entire fourth quarter. Milwaukee entered the game with renewed hopes of staving off elimination after its big win in Game 5 and the return of Damian Lillard, but were still shorthanded. Giannis Antetokounmpo wound up missing the entire series due to a calf injury sustained late in the regular season.
The Pacers will face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals while the Bucks will head straight into an offseason with a number of tough questions after a midseason coaching change. Beverley is a pending free agent.
