Los Angeles Lakers point guard Patrick Beverley didn’t get the benefit of the doubt and was handed a three-game suspension Thursday for his actions in Tuesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns.
Beverley, who is not at her first escapades on the floor, violently pushed her opponent Deandre Ayton in the fourth quarter. The Suns center was mocking fullback Austin Reaves at the time, lying on the ground after being the target of a flagrant foul by Devin Booker.
The NBA justified its decision ー which will cost Beverley $268,965 in salary ー by citing her “history of unsportsmanlike acts”.
In reaction to this sanction, the 34-year-old admitted his wrongdoing on Twitter.
“It was a great lack of professionalism on my part, he wrote. I definitely could have acted differently. I am a big boy and I will accept the repercussions of my actions.”
Nicknamed “Pat Bev” averaged 4.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 14 starts with the California team.
This difficult start to the season also corresponds to that of the Lakers (5-11), penultimate in the Western Association of the NBA, despite the presence of super stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
