ESPN Bans Bucks’ Patrick Beverley, Who Threw Ball At Fan And Disrespected Reporter Following Playoff Elimination

Then after getting the ball back, Beverley seemingly didn’t hit his intended target, so he threw the ball back into the audience again.

“It doesn’t matter who he was trying to hit, you can’t hit no lady ever. He hit that lady in the head.” Charles Barkley said on the TNT Inside The NBA postgame show. “I’ve done stupid stuff, and I’ve got criticized. That’s just wrong, he’s going to get suspended for that. And that’s going to be a good one too, because he didn’t just do it once, he did it twice.”

It didn’t end there, as 35-year-old Beverley continued to let his emotions get the best of him, following the game when being interviewed in the locker room, the 12th-year player had an uncomfortable interaction with ESPN reporter Malinda Adams.

Beverley told the ESPN reporter that she couldn’t interview him during the media session, and here is how the exchange went:

Beverley turned to Adams, “You subscribe to my pod? 

Adams responded, “Do I subscribe? I do not.” 

Beverley stated, “You can’t interview me then, no disrespect.” 

Adams then tried to sneakily put the mic near him for the rest of the interview, which the Bucks’ player saw and again scolded, “Remove that mic please or just get out the circle please for me, please ma’am, if you not subscribed to my pod.”

Apparently, in order to talk with Beverley, it is a requirement to subscribe to his podcast, “The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone.”

After the backlash, Beverley took to social media to reply to a video that showed him firing the ball into the stands.

As Beverley tweeted on X, “Not Fair at all. Exchanged between a fan and our ball club all night. We warned and asked for help all night. Not fair.”

Beverley then later tweeted an apology in the morning saying, “But I have to be better. And I will.”

The reporter who wasn’t subscribed to Beverley’s podcast, also gave out a forgiving statement to give closure on the situation.

Nevertheless, despite the apology, ESPN still decided to ban Beverley from future guest appearances on any of the network’s shows, due to his rude behavior. As a result, Beverley will be able to put all of his time and focus into his own podcast.

Beverley, who was acquired via trade from the 76ers earlier this season, saw his role increase this postseason, as a result of Bucks’ superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard each dealing with injuries. In his ninth career season appearing in the NBA playoffs, Beverley averaged 8.2 points (41% FG; 36.4% 3PT), 5.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 35 minutes per game.

The NBA has yet to announce the suspension length or fine amount for Beverley, who has been suspended twice before throughout his career, but certainly action will be taken against him for his overall conduct. As for the reason why Beverley lost his cool at the end of the game, it has been alleged that it stemmed from a fan antagonizing him by teasing he would go on vacation to Cancun after the series loss.

To note, the third-seeded Bucks were unable to overcome the sixth-seeded Pacers all year, as Indiana had a 4-1 record during the regular season, including winning the In-Season tournament Eastern Conference semifinals matchup. Then ultimately, the Pacers sent Beverley and the Bucks into an early offseason trip to Cancun after winning 4-2 in the first-round playoff matchup.