LA Clippers’ preseason Patrick Beverley reunion was strange and emotional

After four seasons of shouting from the bench for the LA Clippers, Patrick Beverley was doing the same for the opponents on Monday night.

It was the first time L.A. got a chance to see their former standout point guard since trading him to the Memphis Grizzlies in August. Beverley ultimately found himself dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves a day later.

"“Just seeing him on the other side makes me emotional a bit,” said Terance Mann, who shined in the Clippers’ otherwise rough preseason game against Minnesota."

Ivica Zubac, who also grew close to Patrick Beverley in Los Angeles, spoke about the reunion with Beverley, who didn’t play for conditioning purposes.

The Clippers reunited with Patrick Beverley on Monday night.

Mann and Zubac both paid tribute to Beverley on Instagram shortly after finding out about the trade last August.

“Pat Bev taught me all I know,” said Mann. “My brother for life,” said Zubac.

Now opponents, they saw the same Patrick Beverley they always knew — chirping on the sidelines, yelling instructions, and clapping for the Timberwolves as they blew the Clippers out 128-100.

According to Andrew Greif of the LA Times, the Clippers consulted Beverley (subscription required) a few days before the trade, with him saying Minnesota was one of his top choices. While the deal was the right call for both sides, that didn’t mean it was easy.

"“It was very painful for us,” said Clippers President Lawrence Frank."

Although it’s only the preseason, Minnesota is now 3-0 after defeating the Clippers and has one last tune-up game with Brooklyn before they tip off their season on October 20.

The Clippers will certainly miss the fire and passion Beverley brought every night, and they showed their appreciation for him with hugs before and after the game.

The LA Clippers will meet the Minnesota Timberwolves three times in November, with Beverley’s return to the Staples Center landing on Saturday, November 13th.

Patrick’s return to Los Angeles — hopefully involving some actual playing time instead of just bench-jockeying — will certainly spawn more emotions from fans and players alike.