INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says detectives are investigating an incident at a May 2 NBA playoff game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers.
The NBA has now suspended Beverley four games without pay for the incident.
Cameras showed Bucks guard Patrick Beverley sitting on the bench and tossing a ball into the stands and hitting a fan with about 2 ½ minutes left in Milwaukee’s 120-98 Game 6 loss at Indiana that knocked the Bucks out of the playoffs. After a different fan threw the ball back to Beverley, who was holding his arm out for it, the Bucks guard fired it back at that spectator.
Beverley declined to answer a question about it while speaking to reporters after the game. But he replied to an X post that showed the video by saying, “Not Fair at all. Exchanged between a fan and our ball club all night. We warned and asked for help all night. Not fair.”
Six hours later, Beverley issued another X post saying, “But I have to be better. And I will.”
Beverley spoke about his behavior on an episode of “The Pat Bev Podcast” that was released Wednesday, May 8. He said he was called a word that he’d never been called before, but added that his own actions were “still inexcusable.”
“I will be better," Beverley said. "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.”
Beverley added the atmosphere in Indiana “was great” aside from “a handful of fans” who crossed the line.
“I ain’t bringing a basketball on the bench no more,” Beverley said. “That … threw my whole vibe off.”
After the game, Beverley wouldn't allow ESPN journalist Malinda Adams to ask him a question in a group interview in the locker room. He said it was because she didn't subscribe to his podcast. Beverley told her to get her microphone out of his face and then eventually asked her to leave the interview circle.
On his podcast Wednesday, Beverley said he had asked that of reporters who interviewed him ever since he launched his podcast. Beverley said he told Adams that “it was never my intent to disrespect you.”
A day after the loss, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Beverley's behavior was “not the Milwaukee way or the Bucks way.”
“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.”
IMPD says officers completed an initial case report about the incident that was later forwarded to detectives. IMPD detectives say they are working with Gainbridge Fieldhouse employees to review video footage.
The department also says it plans to speak with all parties involved and then present the case to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office at the conclusion of the investigation.