The NBA has announced its decision to suspend Charlotte Hornets shooting guard Malik Monk for violating the league's anti-drug program.
Monk will be suspended indefinitely without pay, starting with Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks. The Hornets guard will be reinstated once he's proven to be in full compliance with the NBA/NBPA's anti-drug program.
The NBA has announced a suspension without pay for Hornets’ Malik Monk for violating the league’s anti-drug program. The suspension will end when he is determined to be in full compliance with the program. pic.twitter.com/dMg3Q3ZqUy
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 26, 2020
STATEMENT: We are disappointed in Malik’s decision-making that resulted in his suspension. As an organization, we do not condone his behavior. However, we are committed to supporting Malik during this time.
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) February 26, 2020
Monk was enjoying a nice stretch to his 2019-20 season, recently scoring in double figures in eight of his last nine games. The Kentucky product scored eight points with three assists, a rebound, and a steal while getting his first career start for the injured Devonte' Graham in a 39-point loss to the Indiana Pacers.
The 22-year-old had been trying to find his footing in the NBA upon previous failures to carve a sound spot in the rotation. He appeared to have found his niche in this recent stretch of games.
Head coach James Borrego gave him the green light to play 25 minutes a night the rest of the season, which boded as good news for Monk, whose hot-and-cold playing time often marred any sense of continuity.
His suspension could mean more immediate minutes for Dwayne Bacon, who looked great in the preseason but soon fell off during the first games of the regular season.
Monk could return once the NBA and the NBPA could attest to his compliance with the anti-drug program.