NBA Hands Down 25-Game Suspension To Cavaliers Big Man

 

The NBA has slapped a 25-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug program on Cleveland Cavaliers veteran big man Tristan Thompson.

Tristan Thompson has been suspended 25 games for violating the NBA/NBPA anti-drug program pic.twitter.com/Mlv7pFBFth

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 23, 2024

Thompson tested positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033, the league says. Both drugs are performance enhancers, and help improve strength as well as speed up recovery from injury. The 25-game ban is the standard for this type of violation for a first-time offender.

The 32-year-old former NBA champ has been averaging 12 minutes a night for the Cavs this season in 36 games, with 3.8 points and 3.9 rebounds.

The Cavs are also without two of their starters, with point guard Darius Garland and big man Evan Mobley recovering from lengthy absences. Garland began on-court activities last week and is getting closer to a return; Mobley is still expected out until sometime in February.

Cleveland drafted Thompson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, and he won a title with the LeBron James-led team in the 2016 season. This is his second tour off duty with the Cavs, as he's also suited up for the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers. He failed to land an NBA job last season before returning to Cleveland this year.

In 12 NBA seasons, the Canadian-born Thompson has averaged 8.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in an average of 26 minutes per game.

Photo: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports