The NBA has suspended Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley for 12 games without pay for pleading guilty to a felony charge of threatening a crime of violence for the purpose of terrorizing another person, the league announced Thursday.
"I will take this time to reflect on my decisions," Beasley said in a statement, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. "I apologize to all the great fans out there who have supported me during this difficult time and I promise I will come back very soon as a better person and player."
During the incident, which occurred on Sept. 26, 2020, officers were called to Beasley's residence on a reported weapons offense. The individuals who reported the offense told officers their car was stopped in front of the house and a "suspect walked up to their vehicle, tapped on the vehicle window, pointed a gun at them and advised them to get off of the property," according to a Plymouth Police Department statement obtained by ESPN at the time.
In the statement, officers said they obtained a search warrant for the property and located narcotics and numerous guns, one of which was later confirmed to be stolen.
Beasley was arrested and charged with a felony of possession of a controlled substance/narcotics and a felony of receiving/concealing stolen property.
The 24-year-old pleaded guilty in December to a felony charge of threats of violence related to the incident. As part of the plea, the felony drug charge was dismissed and it was agreed Beasley wouldn't have to serve jail time or home confinement until after the 2020-21 season. The sentence, per the agreement, will not exceed 120 days and -- if Beasley completes his probationary period -- the threat of violence charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor, Beasley's attorney, Steven Haney, told ESPN.
Beasley will begin serving his NBA suspension for the charges on Feb. 27, when the Timberwolves face the Washington Wizards.
"As an organization, we fully support today's decision by the NBA," Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas said in a statement. "As we work together with Malik to advance his development as a player and a person, we look forward to seeing his growth."
