NBA suspends Lakers' Beverley 3 games for shoving Suns' Ayton
The NBA has suspended Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley for three games without pay after he shoved Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton from behind during Tuesday's contest, the league announced Thursday.
Beverley's history of "unsportsmanlike acts" was factored into the length of his suspension. The veteran has been suspended or fined on eight occasions, according to TNT's Chris Haynes.
The 34-year-old will miss this weekend's two-game road set against the San Antonio Spurs as well as Monday's contest versus the Indiana Pacers. The suspension will cost him $268,966 in salary, and the Lakers will receive a $134,483 tax variance credit toward their team salary, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Beverley came to teammate Austin Reaves' defense after Devin Booker fouled the wing hard. Ayton stood over Reaves following the play, prompting Beverley to rush in.
"Got a person on the ground, two people looking over mean-mugging and puffing their chest out, and referees don't get into it to kind of separate it, control the game, so I'm going to stand up for my teammate," Beverley said, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
Los Angeles acquired Beverley from the Utah Jazz during the offseason. He has started in all 14 of his appearances, averaging 4.1 points, 3.9 boards, and 2.9 assists.
However, Beverley has been a positive factor on the defensive end. The Lakers are allowing 6.7 fewer points per 100 possessions when the three-time NBA All-Defensive team selection is on the floor.
The club sits second-last in the West with a 5-11 record.