Kofi Inkoom
The NBA has announced that Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers is being handed a 25-game suspension without pay, starting with their matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks.
This penalty stems from his positive test for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033, a violation of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.
Both ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033 are on the NBA’s no-go list for substances, falling under the “steroids and performance enhancing drugs” category in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The standard consequence for a player, like Tristan Thompson, who tests positive for such substances and doesn’t have a previous suspension is a 25-game ban.
Tristan Thompson, aged 32, spent his first nine NBA years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, grabbing a championship in 2016.
After some team-hopping, he returned to the Cavaliers as a free agent last September, signing a one-year, minimum-salary deal.
This season, he’s been the backup center behind Jarrett Allen, putting up 3.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in about 12.4 minutes per game over 36 appearances.
With Thompson’s suspension and Evan Mobley out due to a knee injury, the Cavaliers might give center Damian Jones more playing time.
Jones has been on the court in recent weeks, though mostly during less critical moments of the game.
Isaiah Mobley, Evan’s brother and a two-way player, is another choice for the frontcourt, but he has only played in three NBA games this season.