Nick Calathes suspended 20 games for violating NBA Anti-Drug policy, according to report
The Grizzlies will be without a key rotational player until Game 7 of the Western Conference finals at least.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Memphis Grizzlies backup point guard Nick Calathes will be suspended 20 games starting immediately for violating the NBA's Anti-Drug policy, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. Calathes tested positive for Tamoxifen, an over-the-counter supplement, though there were no traces of testosterone or other PED's. Memphis will be without Calathes to begin the playoffs, and the NBA is expected to announce the suspension soon.
NBA Playoffs
Calathes played in 71 of the Grizzlies’ regular season games and started in seven games during his first year in the NBA. The overseas player was traded to the Grizzlies by the Mavericks in exchange for future draft considerations and reached a buyout agreement with his VTB United League club in Russia four years after being drafted by Minnesota in 2009.
The earliest Calathes could return is Game 7 of the Western Conference finals if the Grizzlies go the full seven games in each of the first two rounds. He averaged 16.5 minutes per game this season and played an important role in the Grizzlies' rotation after veteran guard Jerryd Bayless was traded.
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