Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverly Suspended three games for “pushing too hard” the Phoenix Suns center Deender Eaton The NBA announced Thursday that the large man was not looking and caused him to fall off the court in Los Angeles’ game against the Suns on Tuesday.
In the league’s statement, attributed to Executive Vice President and President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars, the suspension was interpreted as “based in part on Beverly’s history in the non-sports business.”
The suspension is without pay and will cost Beverly $268,965 in salary, per Bobby Marks overlooking the front office at ESPN.
Beverley will miss back-to-back Lakers games against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday and Saturday as well as Monday’s home game against the Indiana Pacers.
Beverley was assessed a technical foul and ejected for charging to Ayton after Ayton was standing over a Lakers swingman Austin Reeveswhile Reeves was on the ground after a flagrant error by the Suns guard Devin Booker. The sequence occurred with 3:55 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 115-105 loss in Phoenix.
After the game, Beverley said he was “definitely” concerned that the league would punish him for his actions, and added that he would accept the punishment that had been imposed on him.
“Unprofessional myself. I certainly could have reacted differently,” he said. “So, yeah, I’m a big boy. I’ll take my lumps whatever comes.”
However, shortly before the suspension was announced on Thanksgiving afternoon, Beverly chirp in a different tone.
Prior to Tuesday’s incident, in the 2021 Western Conference Finals and with the Suns poised to beat the LA Clippers for a trip to the championship round, Beverley — then with the Clips — pushed the Suns guard Chris Paul At the back.
Beverly averages 4.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 14 starts for the Lakers. He is shooting career-lows from the field (26.6%) and the 3-point line (23.8%).
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