Lakers star Patrick Beverley is SUSPENDED for three games for shoving Suns’ Deandre Ayton from behind… as NBA dish out punishment ‘based on his history of unsportsmanlike acts’
Los Angeles Lakers star Patrick Beverley has been slapped with a three-game suspension without pay by the NBA after he pushed Suns’ opponent Deandre Ayton to the court on Tuesday night.
The guard was ejected by officials for the incident, but has now been handed down a harsher punishment and will miss two upcoming games against the San Antonio Spurs, as well as the visit of the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
In a statement, the NBA noted that the severity of the punishment – which will also include Beverley not getting paid – was decided in part due to his ‘history of unsportsmanlike acts.’
Patrick Beverley has been suspended for three games after he shoved Deandre Ayton Tuesday
Beverley was ejected from the game after the incident in Phoenix on Tuesday night
The NBA said his punishment was in part decided due to his history of ‘unsportsmanlike acts’
The incident occurred towards the end of the fourth quarter and with the Lakers trailing 96-106 to the Suns in Phoenix.
After the Lakers’ Austin Reeves was knocked to the paint by Ayton, Beverley walked over and forcefully shoved his opponent, who then fell over Reeves and to the floor.
It sparked an ugly melee between multiple members of both parties, and ended with Beverley being ejected from the game.
After the defeat, Lakers coach Darvin Ham was asked about the incident, to which he responded: ‘It’s an emotional sport. I’m not mad at him [Beverley]. He’s protecting his teammate. Teams have to know they can’t just push us around.’
It is expected that Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schroder and Kendrick Nunn will see extended time on the court in Beverley’s absence, before he is eligible to return on November 30 against the Trail Blazers.
Ayton had to be restrained by security as the melee turned ugly during the Lakers-Suns game
Beverley will miss upcoming Lakers games against the Spurs (x2) and the Pacers