Christopher Trotman/Getty Images(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) — The NBA announced Wednesday that Charlotte Hornets forward Jeff Taylor would be suspended for 24 games without pay after pleading guilty to misdemeanor physical assault and malicious destruction of hotel property last month.
The 25-year-old will be credited the first 11 games of the season, which he sat out, and be forced to miss the next 13 as well. In total, the suspension will cost Taylor $119,689 of his $915,000 salary. As of Wednesday night, both Taylor and his officials were working with union officials to go over their options.
“This suspension is necessary to protect the interests of the NBA and the public’s confidence in it,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a press release. “Mr. Taylor’s conduct violates applicable law and, in my opinion, does not conform to standards of morality and is prejudicial and detrimental to the NBA.”
Taylor was arrested on Sept. 25 at a hotel in East Lansing, Mich. after an altercation with a woman with whom he was reportedly having a romantic relationship. An NBA release stated that the two had been drinking heavily when an argument ensued, resulting in Taylor shoving the woman into the hallway, where she fell and struck her head. The statement also noted that Taylor punched a hole in the wall near his room.
Taylor was sentenced to 18 months of probation after pleading guilty in October. He also must complete 26 weeks of a domestic violence intervention program.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio
