Indianapolis police are investigating an altercation between Bucks guard Patrick Beverley and a fan that that transpired last Thursday near the end of Milwaukee’s loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
In the final minutes of the Bucks’ season, a fan was supposedly heckling players from behind the Milwaukee bench, and Beverley spun and threw a basketball at the fan. He missed, hitting a woman in the head.
That’s when the other fan picked up the ball and tossed it to Beverley, who aggressively threw it back. Beverley appeared to exchange words with the fan, with teammate Jae Crowder attempting to calm him down.
“IMPD is aware of an incident that occurred on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse involving an NBA player and citizen,” a spokesman for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said. “At the time of the incident, officers completed an initial case report. The report has been forwarded to IMPD detectives, who are currently investigating this situation and take all accusations seriously.
“Detectives are working with Gainbridge Fieldhouse to review video footage and plan to speak with the parties involved. Detectives will present the case to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office at the conclusion of the investigation.”
On an episode of his podcast, “The Pat Bev Podcast,” Beverley expressed remorse for his actions.
“I will be better,” Beverley said during the episode, which was released Wednesday. “I have to be better, and I will be better. That should have never happened. Regardless of what was said, that should have never happened. Simple as that.”
But it was that very podcast that caused even more controversy following the game — a 120-98 Indiana win — as Beverley wouldn’t field a question from ESPN journalist Malinda Adams since she wasn’t subscribed.
“You subscribe to my pod?” Beverley asked Adams. “You can’t interview me then, no disrespect.”
Beverley apologized for that one, too, saying he told Adams that “it was never my intent to disrespect you.”
One day after Milwaukee’s season ending loss, Bucks coach Doc Rivers voiced his displeasure with Beverley’s antics.
“We’re better than that,” Rivers said. “Pat feels awful about that. He also understands emotionally — this is an emotional game, and things happen — unfortunately, you’re judged immediately, and he let the emotions get the better of him.”
In 40 minutes of action in Game 6, Beverley finished with six points, two rebounds and five assists.
