Patrick Beverley, Bucks Sued By Pacers Fans

The Milwaukee Bucks and former NBA guard Patrick Beverley have been sued by two Indiana Pacers fans. 

Beverley threw a ball into the stands twice during the Bucks’ Game 6 loss to the Pacers in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. 

“Specifically, Beverley threw the basketball directly at and into the side of Katie Lanciotti’s head, hard enough that it broke the necklace that she was wearing,” the lawsuit said. “The basketball then fell to the ground near Lanciotti. Ms. Lanciotti experienced immediate pain and soreness as a result of being struck by the basketball. Another fan in front of Lanciotti picked up the ball, and gently passed it back to Beverley as Beverley motioned that he wanted the ball back. At that moment, Beverley acted like the ball was thrown mistakenly and said the words ‘My bad.’

“Once Beverley retrieved the ball, he immediately threw the ball back into the stands – even harder this time – intending to once again strike Pacer fans. On this next occasion, the basketball struck Jessica Simmons in her chest and face, causing immediate pain and soreness as a result of being struck by the basketball.”

Beverley is not in the NBA anymore. He played overseas this season. 

A Chicago native, Beverley has played for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers and Bucks. He has career averages of 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks. 

As a direct and proximate result of the actions of all Defendants, Plaintiffs Jessica Simmons and Katie Lanciotti suffered injuries and damages, including but not limited to: 

• Physical Pain and suffering
• Emotional and mental distress
• Humiliation, embarrassment and anguish
• Medical expenses
• Lost work hours/wages
• Compensatory and punitive damages

“Through his social media posts and podcast commentary, Beverley maliciously made false comments with defamatory imputation about Lanciotti,” the lawsuit said. “Beverley’s comments proximately caused Lanciotti to suffer damage to her reputation, esteem, respect, and good will and caused publicly negative feelings, accusations, and opinions about Lanciotti.”