NBA Says Reporter Interaction Factored Into Patrick Beverley Suspension

The NBA announced Thursday that it has suspended Bucks guard Patrick Beverley for four games without pay. The league cited “forcefully” throwing the ball at fans multiple times and an “inappropriate” exchange with a reporter during postgame interviews following the May 2 game against the Pacers as the reasons for the punishment. Indianapolis police said they are investigating the incident with the fan and will present their findings to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

Beverley launched a ball into the stands directly at Pacers fans twice, including hitting one in the head. The antics continued in the locker room, where he forbade ESPN’s Malinda Adams from asking him questions because she hadn’t subscribed to his podcast—a rule another reporter said he has maintained since coming to Milwaukee—and kicked her out of the interview gaggle.

“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.

Beverley received significant backlash online from the interaction and apologized to Adams. ESPN initially barred Beverley from all future guest appearances on the network, but later claimed a ban was never in place.

“I have to be better and I will be better,” Beverley said while discussing the incident with Pacers fans on his podcast. “Regardless of what was said, that should have never happened.”

The suspension will begin at the start of next season, as Beverley’s Bucks were knocked out of the playoffs the same night as his actions.