J.R. Smith pinatawan ng five-game suspension

NEW YORK -- Sinuspinde ng NBA si New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith at hindi susuweldo sa unang limang laro niya sa regular season dahil sa paglabag sa anti-drug program ng liga.

Nanggaling si Smith sa isang offseason surgery sa kanyang kaliwang tuhod at handa na para sa darating na NBA season.

Sumailalim si Smith sa isang patella tendon surge­ry at arthroscopy at hindi pa makakasama sa training camp ng Knicks ngayong buwan.

“There is a collectively bargained process in place, established by the NBA and the players association, and until that process has played itself out, it would be inappropriate for the NBPA or J.R. to make further statements about the matter,” wika ni Ron Klempner, ang acting executive director ng union. “We all look for­ward to a resolution in due course.”

Nahirang si Smith bilang Sixth Man of the Year no­ong nakaraang season at tinulungan ang Knicks na makapasok sa playoffs.

Nagtala siya ng average na 18.1 points sa regular season.