Two Indiana Pacers fans have filed a lawsuit against former Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley and the Milwaukee Bucks organization following a ball-throwing incident during the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The incident occurred during Game 6 of the first-round series between the Pacers and the Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 2, 2024.
According to the lawsuit filed in Marion County Superior Court, the fans, Jessica Simmons and Katie Lanciotti, claim they suffered medical expenses, mental anguish, humiliation, and lost wages as a result of Beverley’s actions. The suit also names former Bucks assistant coach Josh Oppenheimer as a defendant, alleging that he incited Beverley’s behavior.
The incident took place in the closing moments of the Pacers’ series-clinching win over the Bucks. Video footage shows Beverley, who had just been taken out of the game, throwing a basketball into the stands twice. The first throw struck Simmons in the head, breaking her necklace. After another fan returned the ball to Beverley, he threw it again, this time hitting Lanciotti in the chest.
altercation between pat bev and pacers fans behind the bench pic.twitter.com/dfQpqSBv33
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 3, 2024
The lawsuit accuses Beverley of battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and invasion of privacy by false light. The plaintiffs also claim that Oppenheimer verbally attacked and provoked them and their family members during the game.
Beverley has publicly acknowledged his actions, stating on social media,
“Not Fair at all. Exchanged between a fan and our ball club all night. We warned and asked for help all night. Not fair.” He later added, “But I have to be better. And I will.”
Beverley also addressed the incident on his podcast, admitting that his actions were inexcusable and promising to improve his behavior.
The NBA suspended Beverley for four games following the incident, citing both the ball-throwing incident and an inappropriate interaction with a reporter during media availability. However, Beverley has yet to serve the suspension, as he left the NBA to play professional basketball in Israel shortly after the incident.
Simmons and Lanciotti claim they have continued to experience physical, mental, and emotional damage since the incident. They were escorted from the stands by security to make a statement about the incident, which they described as a “perp walk fashion”.
