Patrick Beverley: NBA player calls his actions ‘inexcusable’ as Indianapolis police open investigation after fan incident

CNN
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Milwaukee Bucks Protect Patrick Beverley He called his actions “inexcusable” after an incident in the final minutes of last week’s playoff game resulted in the 35-year-old throwing a ball at a spectator.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) told CNN in a statement on Wednesday that it has opened an investigation into an incident involving an “NBA player and citizen” at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 2, the night of the Bucks’ season-ending loss to the NBA. Indiana Pacers.

With just over two minutes remaining in Game 6 of the series, Beverley, who was on the bench, threw the ball into the stands and appeared to hit a spectator in the head.

“Officers completed an initial situation report” at the time of the incident and referred it to IMPD investigators, who are “currently investigating this situation and take all accusations seriously,” the police statement said.

The police statement added that detectives are working with the arena “to review the video footage and plan to speak with the parties involved.”

“Investigators will present the case to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office upon completion of the investigation,” the statement added.

CNN reached out to the NBA and Bucks for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Beverly spoke about the incident Wednesday on his podcast, “The Pat Bev Podcast.” He said he was described with a word he had never “experienced before”, but added it was an “unfortunate situation that should never have happened”.

“I get called a lot of things in this league,” Beverley added. “I wasn’t called that… It’s still unjustified. It doesn’t matter what was said. I have to be better and I will be better.”

It’s not clear what the onlooker allegedly said to Beverly.

Beverley added that he didn’t want to alienate Indiana fans, who he said were “awesome” but some took it “too far.”

A day after the loss, Bucks coach Doc Rivers called Beverley’s actions “not the Milwaukee way or the Bucks way.”

“We’re better than that,” Rivers added. Pat (Beverly) feels terrible about this. He also understands emotionally – this is an emotional game and things happen – unfortunately, you get judged immediately and let the emotions get the better of him.

The Bucks lost 120-98, eliminating them from the NBA playoffs.

Beverley, who just completed his 12th year in the league, was traded to the Bucks from the Philadelphia 76ers in February, and has averaged 6.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists this season. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.