After shoving Phoenix Suns center DeAndre Ayton, the NBA has suspended Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley for three games. Here’s an overview of the suspension as well as Beverley’s past suspensions.
On November 22, 2022, the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers in a 115-105 victory. Late in the fourth quarter, Lakers guard Austin Reaves drove down the baseline and was fouled. As he recovered on the floor, Suns center DeAndre Ayton stood over him. Patrick Beverley didn’t like this, and quickly ran over, shoving Ayton from the back and causing him to trip over Reaves legs and fall.
On Thanksgiving day, Beverley received the news that he would be suspended for three games due to this. That night against the Suns, Beverley was scoreless, but put up 10 rebounds and a pair of assists.
Back in 2021, Beverley was suspended for one game after violently shoving Chris Paul in a playoff matchup. Since his recent, longer suspension was due to a less violent push, Golden State Warriors Forward Draymond Green has called this suspension “a bit excessive.”
Suns players have also responded to Beverley’s actions. Star guard Devin Booker said Beverley “needs to stop pushing people in the back. Push them in the chest. That’s all I’ve got to say.” Suns coach Monty Williams called the shove “silly.”
So far, Beverley and the Lakers in general have had a subpar season. Though they’ve somewhat bounced back after a terrible start, they still sit at seven wins and 11 losses, placing them at 13th in the Western Conference. For a team with stars like LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, this season has been disappointing.
Beverley has had a terrible season so far as well. He’s averaging 4.1 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, and 2.9 assists per game, with scoring being at a career low. He shoots a horrendous 27% from the field and 24% from three.
Beverley’s suspension probably won’t have a great effect on the Lakers, but it sends a message to the rest of the league. Especially with this suspension exceeding the duration of Beverley’s past suspension, the league definitely is cracking down on violence on the court.
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Featured image courtesy of Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images
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