Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley has been suspended three games by the NBA for pushing Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton in the back, knocking him to the ground in Tuesday’s game in Phoenix.
Beverley received a technical foul and was ejected from the game.
Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half of an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center on November 22, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 115-105.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The NBA made the announcement Thursday afternoon, saying Beverley will begin serving his suspension without pay on November 25 when the The Lakers face the San Antonio Spurs.
LAKERS’ PATRICK BEVERLEY SENT OFF FOR PUSHING SUNS’ DEANDRE AYTON: ‘I’M GOING TO DEFEND MY PARTNER’
The event occurred in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s game when Suns guard Devin Booker fouled the Lakers’ Austin Reaves that was later ruled flagrant-1.
Ayton appeared to step on top of Reaves, which was when Beverley shouldered Ayton’s back sending him to the ground.
Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker shoots a 3-pointer against Los Angeles Lakers’ Austin Reaves (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.
(AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
«I have one person on the ground, two people looking above average, mugging and puffing their chests and the refs don’t get in to separate it, control the game, so I’m going to defend my teammate.», he said, via ESPN.
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«I’m not going for that s—. Obviously, it’s unfortunate that it happened on national TV. But you know me: regardless of what’s going on, I’m a big fan of protecting my teammates… I’m a trench guy. I put on the jersey and I commit to a team, I commit to a city, and it’s like my motto. I’m a trench guy. It’s a very unfortunate situation though.»
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Lakers head coach Darvin Ham defended Beverley after the game, saying that Beverley was defending his teammate.
Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after pushing Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton #22 to the ground, along with Anthony Davis #3 and Austin Reaves #15, during the second half of an NBA game at Footprint Center on January 22. november. 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
«From what I saw, Ayton was standing there ready to go over (Reaves),» Ham said. «I’m not mad at (Beverley). He’s out there protecting his teammate and I’m sure he’s going to have to go through some kind of consequence for that, but that’s what we have to be. Teams need to know they just can’t «. push us».
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The Lakers have played the last five games no star lebron james He’s recovering from an adductor strain. James is expected to return on Friday against the San Antonio Spurs.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report