Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley chucked a basketball twice at Indiana Pacers fans with seats behind the Bucks bench late in the fourth quarter of the Pacers’ series-clinching 120-98 victory in Game 6.
With 2:32 left in the fourth quarter Thursday and Indiana ahead 114-94, Beverley threw a basketball into the stands, and the ball hit a fan in the head. Beverley asked for the ball back and then threw it with greater force back at another fan.
Beverley sat down and exchanged words with another fan. Security intervened as Bucks players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, turned around to see what was happening.
Beverley is an aggressive player and known agitator. He had just checked out of the game, finishing with six points on 3-for-11 shooting and five assists. He did not receive any penalty during the game for throwing the ball.
The NBA normally fines a player $25,000 for throwing a ball into the stands, and the league will review this incident.
Beverley's antics did not end on the court. During his post-game media scrum in the Bucks' locker room, according to a video clip posted on social media, Beverley interrupted one question and turned to someone holding an ESPN microphone.
"Excuse me, do you subscribe to my (podcast)?" Beverley asked.
The person replied no. (Beverley has a podcast, "The Pat Bev Show," that airs on the Barstool Sports network.)
"You can't interview me then. No disrespect," Beverley said.
The ESPN employee was identified by other network employees on social media as Malinda Adams, a field producer who has worked for the network since 2011, according to LinkedIn.
Moments after Beverley's "no disrespect" comment, he asked Adams to "get that (microphone) out (of) my face, please" and lightly pushed the mic away. When Adams tried to lift the microphone back up, Beverley again tried to push the microphone.
"Could you move the mic for me please, or just get out (of) the circle for me please, ma'am," Beverley said.
Various ESPN employees expressed their disapproval of the interaction and supported Adams.
ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst wrote on social media: "Veteran producer Malinda Adams happens to be one of the most respected and professional people we have at ESPN. Bev, you’re going to have to make a couple apologies for stuff tonight."
Marty Smith, a reporter and host, wrote that Adams "is among the kindest, hardest-working, best, most-respected people in ALL of media — not just at ESPN — and the dearest of friends to all of her friends."
On Friday morning, Adams shared on social media that Beverley called her to apologize."
"I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support. I am humbled. Patrick Beverley just called me and apologized. I appreciate it and accept it," Adams posted. "The Bucks also reached out to apologize. I've been in news for over 40 years and kindness and grace always win."
