Patrick Beverley Faces Suspension: Prior History Includes a Three-Game Suspension for ‘Protecting’ Austin Reaves

In the recent Sixers vs. Lakers game on Monday, tensions flared between Patrick Beverley and Austin Reaves during the third quarter. The incident unfolded when Pat Bev, along with Robert Covington, pressured Reaves into a turnover near the baseline. As Reaves moved to the other side of the court, he collided with Beverley, leading to a confrontational exchange between the two players.

This clash brought back memories of a previous suspension for Patrick Beverley, who was once sidelined for three games for an incident described as ‘protecting’ Austin Reaves. The intensity of the recent altercation and Beverley’s history of defending Reaves adds an intriguing layer to their on-court dynamics.

Following the game, Patrick Beverley disclosed the underlying reason for the confrontation, shedding light on the nature of the dust-up between him and Austin Reaves.

Pat Bev kept his receipts

Patrick Beverley and Austin Reaves, former teammates during the 2022-23 NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers, found themselves on different paths after Beverley was traded to the Orlando Magic for Mo Bamba. Subsequently, Orlando waived Beverley, who then signed with his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls.

During a matchup between the Lakers and the Bulls at the United Center last season, tensions escalated when Austin Reaves, now with the Lakers, directed a ‘too small’ celebration at his former teammate Beverley. This incident added a layer of drama to the game, showcasing the lingering dynamics between the two players who had once shared the same team.

The seemingly ordinary play between Patrick Beverley and Austin Reaves in their previous matchup took an unexpected turn as Pat Bev, true to his reputation, kept a mental record of the incident. When the Lakers visited Beverley’s new team, the Sixers, last Monday, it became apparent that Patrick had a specific agenda in mind. The game provided him with an opportunity to address the past encounter and, as events unfolded, it became clear that Beverley had intentions of settling the score or expressing his sentiments regarding the ‘too small’ celebration.

“I didn’t want to guard anyone else but Austin Reaves last night,” Patrick said during the latest episode of the Pat Bev Podcast. “How dare you come in Chicago, my hood, and hit me with the ‘too little’ and don’t think that Imma come for your neck. It’s cool. He gonna feel the wrath. From now on, I’m picking his up 94 feet and it’s nothing personal. It’s just business.”

Beverley said he did time for AR

While celebrations after making a basket are a common occurrence in the NBA, the ‘too little’ gesture has gained popularity. However, for Patrick Beverley, his animosity towards Austin Reaves runs deeper than a simple on-court taunt. It stems from Reaves seemingly forgetting the significant moment when Beverley stood up for him.

In 2022, Patrick Beverley was suspended for three games without pay after forcefully shoving Deandre Ayton. This incident occurred when Ayton disrespectedly stood over a fallen Austin Reaves during a Lakers-Suns game. Following the suspension, Beverley declared himself a “foxhole guy,” emphasizing his willingness to stand up for a teammate, a gesture that seems to have been overlooked or dismissed by Reaves. This historical context adds a layer of complexity to the tension between the two players.

“That’s what made me angry about it because I did time for him. I literally did time for him,” he added.

It appears that Austin Reaves may have overlooked the significance of Patrick Beverley’s past actions when he delivered the ‘too small’ celebration. However, Beverley, known for holding onto grudges, seems determined to make Reaves pay for the perceived lack of recognition or gratitude. The tension between the two players looks set to linger as long as Beverley remembers the incident and feels compelled to address the perceived lack of acknowledgment for his past actions.