“We are going to have each other’s back,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham defends Patrick Beverley for standing up for Austin Reaves

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Patrick Beverley had an altercation with Phoenix Suns players DeAndre Ayton and Devin Booker after they tried staring down at Austin Reaves. Beverley shoved Ayton and he got ejected for that action but he did not waste any chance to stand up for his teammate.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham stood in support of his player, Patrick Beverley. Ham feels that they will play within the rules of the game but they are going to have each other’s back when they are on court representing the Purple and Gold.

Ayton and Booker stared down Lakers youngster Austin Reaves after they hard fouled him, therefore Beverley reacted in a certain way and got ejected. It was a show of intent from the experienced guard as he stood his ground for his teammate.

The youngster was driving to the basket as he got hard fouled and even DeAndre Ayton lost his footing and attempted to walk over him. The actions done by Beverley got him ejected as he also got a three game ban and will miss the back to back games against San Antonio Spurs and will also miss the game against Indiana Pacers.

Ham highlighted how even during his playing days they played tough teams and while teams want to play within the rules, they want to stand up for their teammates. “I played in this league, and we played on some tough, tough teams — guys that would have each other’s back. And you want to play tough, things get chippy at times, people chirp. It is what it is. I mean, you want to play within the rules and stay within the rules. But if someone challenges you, and they’re challenging your teammate… How would that look?”

The Lakers coach shared how the Phoenix Suns players bullied Austin Reaves and Beverley stood up for his teammates. Ham shared that while they will try to play within the rule they will look to have each other’s back throughout. “They knock Austin down and walk over him, and no one comes over to do anything or no one comes over to help him up, or rally around him and, you know, that would look terrible. So, it is what it is. And we try to play as legal as possible but make no mistake about it: We’re going to have each other’s back. That’s just who we are going to be and who we are,” Ham asserted.

Beverley’s leadership on court and defense will be a big miss for the Lakers as they look to regain some form. The Lakers have now won back to back games against the Spurs without Beverley and now will miss the game against the Indiana Pacers as well.