INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers center David Harrison was suspended for five games Friday by the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug program.
Harrison's suspension, which is without pay, will begin with Saturday's game at Sacramento, the league said.
Pacers president Larry Bird said the team was disappointed with the news.
"This is a private matter and we will do what we can to provide David any help going forward," Bird said in a statement.
Harrison, who was the team's first pick in 2004 from Colorado, has averaged 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 27 games this season. He missed seven games with a sore back before rejoining the team Jan. 4 against Atlanta. He is signed through this season.
Harrison was one of five Indiana Pacers charged in a brawl with Detroit Pistons fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Nov. 19, 2004. Teammates Ron Artest, Anthony Johnson, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson also were charged.
Each pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault and battery and was sentenced to probation and community service. All except Harrison were suspended by the NBA. Harrison still faces a lawsuit related to the brawl.
The NBA conducts random tests four times a season. Players are subject to up to a 10-game suspension for a first offense, a 25-game ban for a second offense, a one-year suspension for a third offense and banishment from the league if caught a fourth time.
Disappointing to hear anytime an NBA player gets suspended for something like this. You would think they'd know better, but they continue to prove us all wrong.
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“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never tasted victory or defeat.”
David needs to keep his head and don't do stupid things like that. He's already bad as it is but to go and ruin whatever reputation he has left is just a poor judgement thing. Harrison has probably and I say hopefully seen his last season in Indy.
Oh my god, well cancel the season...a team can't take a bigger loss than losing their backup center....
truly the saddest day ever in the franchises history.
He's basically our 4th Center now behind O'Neal, Murphy, and Foster. We have no reason to bring him back next year in O'Brien's offense unless he really starts to show something.
David Harrison Suspended 5 Games
David Harrison Suspended 5 Games
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