Deandre Ayton(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has been suspended for 25 games without pay by the NBA for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for a diuretic.
The NBA announced the suspension Thursday night.
The first overall pick last year out of Arizona, Ayton averaged 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds as a rookie. He had 18 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday night in the Suns' season-opening home victory over Sacramento.
Phoenix is at Denver on Friday night.
Suns' General Manager, James Jones, released a statement on Ayton's suspension.
Ayton also released a statement on his suspension via an e-mail sent out by Suns officials.
The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.
