Late in the Lakers’ 115-105 defeat to the Suns, Patrick Beverley was dismissed for pushing Deandre Ayton.
After Devin Booker fouled Austin Reaves of the Lakers hard, the incident happened with 3:55 left in the fourth quarter. Beverley said that he reacted to Booker and Ayton’s posture of “mean-mugging and puffing their chest out” when they were standing over Reaves.
After a review, Beverley and Ayton both earned technical fouls, while Booker was given a flagrant foul. Also kicked out was Beverley.
Following the game, Beverley said, “I’m not going for that s—.”
“That’s obviously sad that it occurred on national television. However, you are aware of the fact that I place a high value on defending my colleagues in any situation. As a foxhole person, I am. It’s sort of my motto: when I put on the jersey, I commit to a team and a city. A foxhole man, I guess. However, that is a really bad scenario.
An incidental video is provided here:
Beverley’s push was deemed “unnecessary” by Suns head coach Monty Williams, who also requested that the league “look at those sorts of actions.” Beverley, according to Ayton, “didn’t take anything out of my pocket” and didn’t injure him.
Booker criticised Beverley directly, telling TNT’s Chris Haynes that he should “push guys in the chest” rather than “stop pushing people in the back.”
Reaves, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to Beverley for having his back.
He works well with others, Reaves added. With whoever he rocks, he rocks. You respect him regardless of who is on his team. You cherish him. You’re pleased he joined your group. When he isn’t, he acts like a nuisance and does all those tiny things. However, I only appreciate him for being himself and sticking up for me.
With the defeat, the Lakers’ record dropped to 5-11, while the Suns’ record rose to 11-6, placing them atop the Western Conference rankings.
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