Emoni Bates, another Cleveland Charge player suspended for postgame incident in Birmingham
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland Charge forwards Emoni Bates and Gabe Osabuohien have each been suspended for two games without pay for entering the spectator stands after the Charge’s 126-105 road loss to the Birmingham Squadron on Jan. 20. The suspensions were announced by NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim on Monday.
Bates’ and Osabuohien’s two-game suspensions will begin Monday night when the Charge travel to play the Osceola Magic.
Bates, the Cavs’ second-round draft pick in 2023, had 14 points on 6 of 20 shooting, along with seven rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and a steal in the loss to the Squadron on Saturday.
Osabuohien tallied two points, nine rebounds, two steals and a block in 22 minutes.
In just five games in the G League, Bates is ranked seventh in points per game, averaging 24.6 points. He’s currently ranked ninth in the voting leaderboard for the NBA G League Next Up Game that will be held on February 18 as part of All-Star Weekend. In 10 games played with the Cavs, Bates is averaging 1.8 points per game on 24% shooting while averaging 7.6 minutes.
READ MORE: Former NBA champion Tristan Thompson suspended without pay for 25 games after violating NBA’s drug policy
Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson has been suspended by the NBA for 25 games without pay for violating the league’s anti-drug program.
In a statement issued by the NBA, Thompson was suspended for “violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033.”
His suspension will begin with Wednesday’s game between the Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
CNN has reached out to Thompson’s representatives for comment.
According to the NBA, Thompson tested positive for ibutamoren, which can increase growth hormone secretions, and SARM LGD-4033, also known as ligandrol, a selective androgen receptor modulator that mimics testosterone. Neither substance has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and both are on the list of substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The Cavs addressed the matter with a statement on their website and social media.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers fully support the NBA/NBAPA Anti-Drug Program, and we are disappointed in the recent news surrounding Tristan Thompson,” the organization wrote. “His time away from game action will have an impact on our team. We stand behind Tristan and offer our support throughout this suspension period.”