Bucks star Patrick Beverley has vowed to ‘be better’ after he was twice spotted throwing a ball at Pacers fans during Milwaukee’s NBA playoff loss.
Beverley lost his cool and took out his anger on rival fans during the team’s elimination from the play-offs on Thursday night.
The 35-year-old was seen throwing a ball towards the Pacers fans behind the Bucks’ bench, hitting a woman on the side of the head.
He then demanded the ball back from another fan, but immediately launched it again.
He declined to answer a question about the incident after the match. But Beverley did report it on social media and initially defended his actions: “We were warning and asking for help all night,” he said of one fan’s behavior.
Milwaukee Bucks star Patrick Beverley let his anger flare during his team’s elimination
But on Friday morning, the guard showed even more remorse, writing on social media: “I need to be better. And I will.’
The Bucks were sent packing as the Indiana Pacers sealed their series victory with a 120-98 Game 6 victory over the No. 3 seed.
With less than three minutes remaining in the Bucks’ season-ending loss, Beverley’s antics were captured on TNT’s broadcast.
The irate security guard had to be restrained by his teammates as Pacers fans watched in disbelief.
The guard was caught several times during Game 6 while launching a ball at Pacers fans
Beverly and the Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs with a 120-98 loss to the Pacers
Later, after returning to the locker room to complete his media duties, Beverley paused his response to a question to question ESPN reporter Malinda Adams. He bizarrely asked if she had subscribed to his podcast. When she said no, he replied, “Then you can’t interview me. No disrespect.”
As another reporter tried to ask Beverley a question, he told Adams “Please get that microphone out of my face.”
When Adams then turned it back to him to get his answer, Beverley told her, “Please get out of the loop if you’re not subscribed to my podcast.” I can appreciate.’
Stephen A. Smith was among those who decried Beverley’s antics on and off the field, with the ESPN analyst expecting a ‘severe’ punishment to follow.
The 35-year-old had to be restrained by his teammates as tensions ran high on the bench
“I just can’t believe he did that… it’s unforgivable. It is indefensible,” said Stephen A. Smith
‘I just can’t believe he did that. I have known Patrick Beverley for years. I love the brother. It’s unforgivable. It is indefensible,” he further said First recording.
“When he threw the ball into the stands, he didn’t mean to throw it at the woman… but he should never have thrown it the first time. You do not do that.’
Smith said he has sympathy for players, given the abuse they receive from the stands. But the analyst said, ‘that does not absolve you from exercising your professional decorum and obligations – to yourself, to the franchise you represent, the league you represent. You do not do that.’
He added: IIt looks incredibly bad. there will be a suspension, there is no doubt about that… the punishment is coming and I suspect a severe one.’