SAN FRANCISCO // The Golden State Warriors have suspended guard Monta Ellis for 30 games without pay for violating terms of his contract after being involved in a moped accident in which he injured an ankle. Ellis tore a ligament in his left ankle in the August accident and underwent surgery as a consequence. "The cooperation we received from Jeff Fried [Monta's representative] enabled us to be very diligent in collecting all of the facts surrounding the incident," the Warriors president Robert Rowell said."This 30-game suspension is a result of that."
The suspension will take effect immediately and will end after their game on Dec 17 when he will be eligible for selection again. "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," Rowell said. Ellis, a fourth-year guard, was expected to be out for 12 weeks following his surgery and rehabilitation period.
He is expected to lose about US$3 million (Dh11m) in salary during his suspension. Ellis signed a six-year, $66 million contract several weeks before the accident. * Reuters
