Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley faced criticism for throwing a basketball at fans during a Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Beverley threw the ball at a female Pacers fan behind the bench, hitting her in the head. He then motioned to have the ball back and threw it at another fan, who deflected it. Coaches and players attempted to defuse the situation, but Beverley continued to exchange words with the fans. Beverley later acknowledged that his actions were wrong and should never have happened, regardless of what was said to him. He expressed a commitment to being better in the future.
Initial reports suggested that the incident occurred after a fan said “Cancun on three.” Beverley later clarified that it was more than that and involved being called a derogatory name. Despite the insulting comments, Beverley stated that his behavior was inexcusable and he needed to improve. He mentioned that security had asked him earlier in the game if he wanted fans ejected, but he declined, as he did not believe in having paying fans kicked out for trash talk. However, in this particular case, Beverley felt that the fan had crossed the line with their comments.
Beverley recounted the incident, explaining that fans had said inappropriate things to him during the game, leading him to confront them. He emphasized that he was willing to accept booing but did not tolerate disrespect. Beverley indicated that fans who had crossed the line with their remarks had apologized to him, but some individuals went too far with their comments. Reflecting on the situation, Beverley humorously remarked that he would no longer bring a basketball with him on the bench after the incident. The Bucks ultimately lost the first-round series to the Pacers, who are now facing the New York Knicks in the second round.
Despite the heated exchange with fans, Beverley took responsibility for his actions and acknowledged that he needed to improve his behavior. He expressed regret over the incident, stating that it should never have occurred regardless of the provocation. Beverley recognized that fans have the right to express themselves but emphasized that there are boundaries that should not be crossed. By sharing his perspective on the situation and apologizing for his conduct, Beverley showed a willingness to learn from the experience and do better in the future. As the Bucks moved on from the first-round loss, Beverley appeared focused on personal growth and maintaining a positive attitude moving forward in his career.
