Tristan Thompson has been handed a 25-game suspension by the NBA for violating its anti-drug program after he tested positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033.

Both drugs are on the list of prohibited substances in the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), under the ‘steroids and performance enhancing drugs’ (SPED) section.

Ibutamoren is considered a ‘growth hormone’ while SARM LGD-4033 is commonly used by body builders and weight lifters for muscle enhancement. SARM stands for ‘selective androgen receptive modulators.’

Under the current CBA, a 25-game ban is the standard for a player who not only tests positive for a SPED but is also a first-time offender of the league’s anti-drug policy.

Thompson, a center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, will not be compensated while he misses a considerable amount of game time.

Tristan Thompson was handed the lengthy ban after testing positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033, respectively a ‘growth hormone’ and a muscle enhancement for bodybuilders

Thompson, Khloe Kardashian’s baby daddy, is father to a little girl, True (L), 5, and son, Tatum, 1

NBA suspends Cavs center Tristan Thompson 25 games for violation of anti-drug program pic.twitter.com/7FKaiwpyFK

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) January 23, 2024

The suspension, which will take effect starting on Wednesday when the Milwaukee Bucs hosts the Cavs’, will cost Thompson more than $726,000 of his $3,196,448 salary, meaning he’ll miss out on 1/110th of his pay per game.

The 32-year-old, Canadian-American, who’s in his 12th NBA season, is averaging 3.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game this season.

Thompson, who shares a five-year-old daughter, True, with Khloe Kardashian, is on a rejoined the Cavaliers this season after bouncing around the league in recent years.

Cavs reserve center Damian Jones could see his game time increase now that Thompson’s out

He was drafted by Cleveland and spent the first nine years of his NBA career there, from 2011-20. He won a championship with the franchise, led by LeBron James, in 2016. 

This season, Thompson has been a backup to starting center Jarrett Allen. His 25-game ban will be a concern for the Cavs’, as Evan Mobley is still recovering from a knee injury.  

Damien Jones, a journeyman with stints on the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, L.A. Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz after being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2016, could be a frontcourt option for the team while Thompson’s sits out. He signed with the Cavs’ at the start of the season.

Two-way player Isaiah Mobley – Evan’s brother – is also an alternative, but he has only appeared in three NBA games this season.