Pacers Monta Ellis suspended for violation of NBA anti-drug program
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Monta Ellis of the Indiana Pacers has been suspended without pay for five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.
The NBA announced the penalty Friday. Reggie Bullock of the Detroit Pistons also received the same penalty for violating the terms of the program, the announcement said.
Their suspensions will begin with the next regular season game that they are eligible and physically able to play, the NBA said.
The league announced the suspensions without disclosing details of the violations.
The 31-year-old Ellis averaged 8.5 points a game for Indiana last season. Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said the suspension was a “very serious matter” and would be dealt with.
The 26-year-old Bullock averaged 4.5 points in 2016-17. A spokesman for the Pistons said the organization was aware of the suspension, but declined further comment.