A great run by the Cavaliers has experienced another obstacle, as the NBA suspended backup center Tristan Thompson for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug program.
Thompson tested positive for tested positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033, league officials said in a press release announcing his suspension. He will begin serving it immediately, starting with Wednesday’s road game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Cavs (26-15) have won eight straight, all without injured standout guard Darius Garland and power forward Evan Mobley. The last two have also come minus guard/forward Caris LeVert, who’s day-to-day with a wrist injury.
League sources told Hoops Wire the Cavs could sign another big man while waiting for Thompson to return. It’s unclear if they already have a list of possible names.
Thompson, 32, is the lone member of today’s Cavs who played for the 2016 championship team. He returned as a free agent during the offseason, signing a one-year, partially guaranteed minimum contract. That deal became guaranteed for the season on Jan. 7.
Offering his usual dose of energy, defense and hustle, Thompson is averaging 3.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 36 games, shooting 65 percent from the field.
After spending the first 10 seasons of his career with Cleveland, he became a journeyman of sorts, playing for the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers from 2021-22.
He went unsigned all of last regular season before joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoffs.
Neither the Cavs nor Thompson have yet commented on the suspension.
Cleveland has held each of its past four opponents to fewer than 100 points, winning each of those games by at least 18 points. We have more on the Cavs in our latest dribbles.
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