The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz notes: Neto closing in on return, Sefolosha suspended

By Zachary Padmore

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 7: Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz defends during their game against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 7, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 7: Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz defends during their game against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 7, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Good news: Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto had his fractured wrist evaluated, and has reportedly made good progress. Bad news: Thabo Sefolosha has been suspended for five games due to violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.

The Utah Jazz host the banged up Los Angeles Lakers tonight, and they could have backup point guard Raul Neto back in the fold. Neto had his fractured wrist evaluated yesterday, and the injury has reportedly healed significantly:

Neto has missed 10 consecutive games with the wrist injury he suffered in New Orleans back on March 11th. While Neto is a solid backup point guard, he may not even be in the rotation once he returns now that Dante Exum is back on the court and playing extremely well.

Neto is averaging over four points in 12.3 minutes per game for the Jazz this season.

In other news, the NBA suspended Utah Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha for five games this morning for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel was also suspended for the same amount of time.

Both instances were marijuana violations. A player is suspended for five games after his third positive test for marijuana.

Noel will serve his suspension right away, but with Sefolosha out for the season with a knee injury, things get a little interesting. He can not serve his suspension while on the injury report, so he will begin his suspension and miss the first five games of the 2018-19 season.

Sefolosha’s contract for next season is non-guaranteed. It becomes fully guaranteed if he is not waived on or before July 1st. He played very well for the Jazz before going down with knee surgery, so there is a good chance he will be back in Utah next season.

Next: Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Keys to a vital home win

The 33 year old from Switzerland averaged just over eight points in 21 minutes per game in his first season with the Utah Jazz.

Home/Jazz News