Tensions were high at the end of the Bucks’ Game 6 contest.
The Bucks ended the season with a 120-98 victory over Milwaukee on Thursday at Cainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to take a 4-2 series lead. With approximately two and a half minutes to play, Bucks guard Patrick Beverley tossed a basketball from the team’s bench to a fan behind him. He appeared to miss his target, a male Pacers fan, who instead hit a female Pacers fan in the side of the head and demanded the ball back.
The man collected the ball and tossed it back to Beverley, who promptly lobbed it overhead, double-handed, back toward the fan. The fan deflected the ball as Bucks staff and security stepped in, but the fan and Beverly continued to exchange words.
Patrick Beverley threw the ball to a fan late in the 6th.
🎥 @StephNoh pic.twitter.com/6rIKEDbIJu
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 3, 2024
The league said the NBA is looking into the matter Athletic On Friday.
Asked about the exchange postgame, Beverley said: “No, don’t worry about it. Nothing” He also posted this response via social media after the game:
Not fair. An all-night exchange between a fan and our milk club. We warned and called for help all night. Not fair. 🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️ https://t.co/e2o0lcqZtg
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 3, 2024
Beverley — who averaged 8.6 points in the playoffs, hitting a high of 13 — added five assists and two rebounds in Game 6 and scored six. He further reflected on his actions via social media on Friday morning:
But I should be fine. And I am 🙏🏾❤️
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 3, 2024
The Pacers play the New York Knicks in the second round starting Monday.
(Photo: Jeff Haynes / NBAE via Getty Images).
