The elimination of the Milwaukee Bucks by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs was ugly. Patrick Beverley made everything so much uglier.
In the final minutes of the series-deciding 120-98 Game 6 loss, Milwaukee guard Patrick Beverley was seen on the TNT broadcast throwing a ball at a Pacers fan and hitting her in the head. He then asked a different fan for the ball and threw it back to him violently.
Beverly began complaining to the fans behind him while his teammates, coaches and Bucks security dealt with the situation.
The situation will almost certainly result in Beverley receiving discipline from the NBA. Beverley was not sent off for the incident, but did not appear in the game again.
It was a tough night for the Bucks overall, as the Pacers quickly took control and led by double digits throughout the fourth quarter. Milwaukee entered the game with renewed hopes of avoiding elimination after the big Game 5 win and the return of Damian Lillard, but they were still shorthanded. Giannis Antetkokounmpo ended up missing the entire series due to a calf injury suffered late in the regular season.
Beverley scored six points in the game on 3-of-11 shooting, with five assists, two rebounds and zero turnovers. He posted a congratulatory message to the Pacers after the game without acknowledging the incident.
Damn belt 2 A$$ @PatBevPod Congratulations Indy
-Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 3, 2024
The Pacers will advance to face the winner of the series between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, while the Bucks will head straight into an offseason with a number of tough questions following a midseason coaching change. Beverley is a pending free agent.
