Nerlens Noel, Thabo Sefolosha Suspended 5 Games by NBA for Drug Violation
Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel and Utah Jazz swingman Thabo Sefolosha were both suspended five games Tuesday for violating the terms of the NBA's anti-drug program, according to Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania.
The Jazz and Mavericks each have five games remaining this season. As a result, Noel will not be free to suit up again until the start of the 2018-19 campaign.
Sefolosha, who had season-ending knee surgery in January, will begin his suspension with the next regular-season or playoff game he's physically able to compete in.
Noel, 23, will end the year having averaged 4.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 0.7 blocks per game. He was limited to 30 total appearances, including six starts, because of thumb surgery and a stint in head coach Rick Carlisle's doghouse.
He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Sefolosha, meanwhile, hasn't suited up since Jan. 12 after an MCL injury derailed his first season with the Jazz. In 38 games, Sefolosha averaged 8.2 points, 4.2 boards and 1.4 steals while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three.
The 33-year-old's $5.2 million salary for next season is non-guaranteed, but it will become fully guaranteed if he's not waived before July 1.
