PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 28: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers talks with Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns after a foul during the second half in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 28, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley sent out an apology to Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul on Twitter after shoving him in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Phoenix Suns clinched their first NBA Finals berth since 1993 on Wednesday night, after they defeated the LA Clippers 130-103 in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. The spotlight has been on Suns guard Chris Paul, not only for him reaching the Finals for the first time in his career, but after being two-hand shoved in the back by Clippers guard Patrick Beverley in the fourth quarter. As a result, Beverley was ejected from Game 6.
On Thursday, Beverley tweeted out an apology to Paul, saying that his “emotions got the best” of him. He ended his tweet by congratulating Paul on reaching the NBA Finals.
Clippers: Patrick Beverley apologizes to Chris Paul for two-handed shove
Near the tail end of Game 6, Beverley and Paul crossed paths while walking towards their respective side of the court during a timeout. As they passed each other, Beverley turned around and gave Paul a two-handed shove in the lower back, causing him to fall to the court. That was when Beverley was ejected for the remainder of the contest.
Sources told Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes that Beverley is facing a suspension at the start of next season as a result of his shove.
Paul had quite possibly the best game of his career, as he dropped 41 points while shooting 16-for-24 from the field and 7-for-8 from 3-point range in 35 minutes of playing time. As a result of his play, he will now compete for the Larry O’Brien trophy for the first time since entering the league in 2005. Now, he awaits the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals, which could be determined by this Saturday at the earliest.