NBA Reinstates Hornets’ Guard Malik Monk

Malik Monk with Kentucky Wildcats
Malik Monk with Kentucky Wildcats during his college days in 2016. Photo by Thurman James/CSM/Shutterstock (7582417h)

Charlotte Hornets’ shooting guard Malik Monk is free to participate in his team’s activities once again. The Hornets announced on Monday that Monk, who was serving a suspension for violating the rules of the league’s anti-drug program, was reinstated by the NBA.

Monk was initially suspended indefinitely by the league on February 26th and missed eight games before the NBA suspended the 2019/20 season due to the coronavirus. At the moment of suspension, the 22-year-old was averaging 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in just 21 minutes per game.

After recently determining that Monk is now in full compliance with the anti-drug program, the NBA decided to lift the suspension. 

“We welcome him back, and we move forward,” said Hornets’ coach James Borrego. “Malik is ready to move forward. Obviously we haven’t been on the court with him; he’s been in our facility, which is a positive, but we welcome him back and we have work to do this summer and I know he’s ready to do it.”

Despite his reinstatement, Malik Monk won’t be playing basketball this season. Charlotte Hornets won’t be among the 22 teams that will resume the season in Orlando as they previously lost realistic chances to make the playoffs. Hornets were 23-42 before the season was suspended, sitting at 10th seed in the East and being 30.0 games behind the 1st-placed Milwaukee Bucks.    

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