The NBA has concluded and decided Thursday to suspend Lakers' guard Patrick Beverley for three games because of his altercation with the Phoenix Suns' big man Deandre Ayton.
With 3:55 minutes left in the fourth quarter of the Suns' 115-105 win, Suns guard Devin Booker received a flagrant one foul for hitting Lakers' guard Austin Reaves across the face. After the foul Booker can be seen taunting Reaves and standing over him as Reaves holds his face grimacing in pain.
To add fuel to the fire, Deandre Ayton then decided to walk over to Reaves and stand over him again. Patrick Beverley then takes matters into his own hands and levels Ayton pushing him to the ground.
In an interview after the game, Beverley stated the altercation was very unprofessional, but he felt the need to protect his teammates. "I am a big fan of protecting my teammates, said Beverley." "I am a foxhole guy. I felt like the play got out of hand with the staredown of Austin Reaves by Book, then another staredown by Ayton. The refs didn't come in to break it up. You know I'm not going for that s**t."
Lakers' big man Anthony Davis agreed with Beverley's actions. "We are never going to let anyone stand over our teammates. Make them feel less of a man."
Devin Booker of the Suns' felt differently and had some choice words for Beverley. "Pat needs to stop pushing people in the back man. Push them in the chest. That's all I got to say."
Beverley Has Similar Altercation in 2021
In 2021, as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, Beverley was suspended for one game for his unsportsmanlike push to Phoenix Suns' guard Chris Paul.
The Clippers would lose Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, 130-103, and the series. Beverley would later be suspended for the first game of the following 2021-2022 season.
Is it just me or does it seem that Beverley really has it out for the Phoenix Suns?
Were Beverley's Actions Justifiable?
It may have been a cheap shot pushing Ayton to the ground, but I am 100% behind Beverley's actions. A basketball team is a brotherhood. No one messes with your little brother and gets away with it.
Unfortunately, it happened, but glad no one was injured.
Beverley's Suspension
Beverly will miss the next three games because of his actions. The Lakers' will face the San Antonio Spurs in back-to-back games on Nov. 25 and 26 and on Monday, Nov. 28, against the Indiana Pacers. Beverley can return to play on Nov. 30, against the Portland Trailblazers.