OAKLAND, California (AFP) — Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis, already nursing a torn ankle ligament from a moped mishap, learned Saturday the accident will be even more costly.
Ellis, who inked a six-year, 67 million-dollar extension this offseason, was suspended 30 games without pay by the National Basketball Association team for violating the terms of that contract.
The 22-year-old Ellis initially told the Warriors he was hurt in a pickup basketball game.
But the Warriors eventually learned that Ellis was injured in the low-speed motor scooter accident.
In a statement released by the Warriors, team president Robert Rowell said that Ellis violated paragraph 12 of the uniform player contract.
The Warriors cited Ellis' violation of Paragraph 12 of the NBA's uniform player contract, which bars a player from participating "in any activity that a reasonable person would recognize as involving or exposing the participant to a substantial risk of bodily injury," including "driving or riding a motorcycle or moped."
The suspension will begin immediately, including pre-season games, and run through December 17.
"The cooperation that we received from Jeff Fried (Ellis' agent) enabled us to be very diligent in collecting all of the facts surrounding the incident," Rowell said. "This 30-game suspension is a result of that.
"From this point forward, it is the complete focus of everyone involved to provide Monta with all the support he needs to have a successful rehabilitation, and to get him back on the court as an integral part of this team."
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