The Indianapolis Police Department is investigating the altercation that took place in Game 6 of the Bucks/Pacers series on May 2 involving Milwaukee guard Patrick Beverley and fans in Indiana, according to Shams Charania and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic (Twitter link).
During the waning moments of the Bucks’ season, Beverley threw a basketball at Pacers fans sitting behind the Bucks bench. His first throw hit a female fan who was looking in another direction in the side of the head. Beverley got the ball back and forcefully fired it back at a male fan seconds later (Twitter video link).
Beverley tweeted after the game that there were “exchanges between a fan and our ball club” all night and suggested that the team asked security for help dealing with the fan in question. He expressed a little more contrition in a follow-up tweet several hours later, acknowledging that he has to “be better.”
Charania, Lauren Merola, and Eric Nehm of The Athletic subsequently reported that a Pacers fan was directing obscenities toward Beverley in the lead-up to the incident, which was apparently escalated when the fan yelled, “Cancun … Cancun on three” as the team was breaking a huddle.
According to Charania and Vorkunov, Indianapolis detectives are working with Gainbridge Fieldhouse staffers to review video footage from the arena. They intend to speak to the individuals involved in the incident.
While it’s unclear if the investigation will lead to any criminal charges, Beverley certainly figures to face discipline from the NBA, which is conducting its own probe. The veteran guard isn’t under contract yet for next season, but will likely have to serve a suspension before making his 2024/25 season debut.
And yet Jamal Murphy gets only a fine…smdh
One person threw something harmless at the floor in frustration, and was fined because after it hit the floor it traveled in the general direction of an official, without actually touching anyone mind you. While the other person threw a heavy ball, capable of breaking noses and causing concussions, at a persons head, and then threw the ball at another person after already striking the first person. I realize it’s a ball and it seems ridiculous, but these guys are professional athletes with immense strength. You’re not really comparing the two events are you?
Yeah Jamal was worse. Because the play was live and no one saw it coming. If a player slipped and fell they could injure/sprain/twist a limb, or worst case scenario crack their head open on the hardwood and potentially die.
These fans were engaging with Beverly and knew what was going on. Yes it is thrown fast and hard but breaking your nose is better than breaking your neck.
Those “fans” should not be allowed back in that gym.
How about Pat Bev shouldn’t be allowed back in the arena? He nailed a completely innocent woman in the side of the head. If you are so thin skinned that “Cancun on 3” gets you to throw projectiles into the stands you shouldn’t be in the NBA.
If Ron Artest can return to Detroit after malice in the palace I’m sure Beverly will be back to Indiana.
Ron Artest was actually a decent basketball player.
Pat Beverly not so much.
Certainly not defending Beverley here, but I doubt “Cancun on 3” is solely what caused him to attempt to not once, but twice, plunk the fan in the cranium.
It’s been mentioned more than once that the Bucks attempted getting security involved regarding something said or done by the fans prior to this incident.
Just because Beverley is wrong doesn’t mean what the fan said, did, or is rumored to have done, is right or ok. And for some reason the Bucks nor Beverley seem to want to repeat it.
I’m not defending Beverley here while spending the next 2 paragraphs defending him.
This is not the take that the legendary high school football player who once scored four touchdowns in a single game while playing in the 1966 city football championship game would be proud of.
Do better.
Golly gee wally, I’ll sure try.
How’s this. Beverley deserves whatever punishment he gets, and probably more.
I’m not defending him at all. I’m saying maybe the fan isn’t completely innocent here, and should be accountable for his actions too.
The fans actions were speaking words. Try growing a pair. Sticks and stones my friend. Unless there was a direct death threat there is no excuse for a physical response to words.
no excuse for a physical response to words.
Agree, they told security and they apparently did almost nothing or at least “nothing” according to the Bucks or more specifically Beverly. When you have told “the teacher” and the teacher did nothing the little kid decided to get his revenge.
I expect Bev will get a fine and a suspension and I think that is very fair. Might actually be out of the league.
Why not? Smack talking opposing players has always been a part of spectator sports. For literally hundreds of years. If you want to pay me millions of dollars to play a game, you can come say anything you want to me. I mean anything.
Pay the woman and move on. Peeps see $$$$
Why is it that the loudest mouths always have the thinnest skin?
You are pretty sensitive now that you mention it.
Patrick’s all time favorite quote is when he told Curry after KD left its Patrick’s time now to win the championships and Curry’s time is over. That didn’t age well when Curry won another and Patrick is still ring less.
Patrick who
Good one
Indeed. All Beverley does is say insulting things about and to opposing players. Yet, he can’t handle fans making fun of him. Which, he invited in the first place by being a loudmouth.
Bev’s acquisition was not a good thing. I hope he’s gone next season. Puke! What an awful prick! His defense is only good because refs allow players like he and Marcus Smart to put hands all over the player they guard. It’s not good defense, and it’s not good for the game. It’s not good for any team.
Real defense is position defense, these types of dirty guys play “get away with it” defense.
Bev sucks. I’d rather have Nembhard or Nesmith in the ball…. Those two basically shut down the Bucks offense when they guarded the point and are the reason the Bucks could not beat Indy.