Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley received a one-game suspension without pay from the NBA on Saturday for an unsportsmanlike act against Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul in Game 6 of the Western Conference final.
Beverley will sit out the first game of the 2021-22 season for which he is eligible to play.
Beverley was assessed a technical foul and ejected after forcefully pushing Paul from behind and knocking him to the court during a stoppage in play in the fourth quarter on Wednesday. The Suns were well on their way to a series-ending 130-103 victory over the Clippers.
Beverley took to social media the following day to apologize for the incident.
“@CP3 emotions got the best of me last night gang. My bad wasn’t meant for you. Congrats on making it to the Finals. Best of Luck,” Beverley tweeted to Paul.
@CP3 emotions got the best of me last night gang. My bad wasn’t meant for you. Congrats on making it to the Finals. Best of Luck ????
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) July 1, 2021
Beverley joined the Clippers in the June 2017 trade that sent Paul to the Rockets.
Beverley, 32, averaged 7.5 points and 3.2 rebounds during the 2020-21 regular season. He contributed 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 17 playoff games (seven starts).
–Field Level Media