NBA suspends Ellis, Bullock for 5 games
Monta Ellis of the Indiana Pacers and Reggie Bullock of the Detroit Pistons have been suspended five games under the NBA’s anti-drug program. The league announced the suspensions yesterday without disclosing details of the violations.
The 31-year-old Ellis averaged 8.5 points a game for Indiana last season. Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said the suspension was a “very serious matter” and would be dealt with.
The 26-year-old Bullock averaged 4.5 points in 2016-17. A spokesman for the Pistons said the organization was aware of the suspension. . . .
The Milwaukee Bucks are staying inhouse to fill their general manager vacancy, naming director of basketball operations Jon Horst as its next GM, according to a source. Horst replaces John Hammond, who left to take the Orlando Magic job last month. Horst was hired by the Bucks as basketball operations director in 2008.
NHL: Devils holding to No. 1 pick
With the NHL draft a week away, the New Jersey Devils are still holding the No. 1 pick and getting ready to use it, though they are answering phone calls.
Executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero said the team has gotten calls from teams asking what it would take to get the top pick in next Friday’s draft. Shero isn’t shedding any light on whose name will be called if the Devils make the selection at the United Center in Chicago. Most experts think it will be either center Nolan Patrick of Brandon of the WHL or center-forward Nico Hischier of Halifax of the QMJHL.
This will be the first time the Devils have had the top pick in the draft. . . .
The Anaheim Ducks are parting ways with defenseman Simon Despres, who is struggling with concussions. The Ducks placed Despres on waivers, and will buy out the remainder of his five-year contract.
NASCAR: Larson earns pole
Kyle Larson and Martin Truex Jr. are neck and neck at the top of the NASCAR Cup Series standings. Now, they’re set to start at the front at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn tomorrow. Larson won the pole yesterday and Truex qualified second. Truex is first in the standings, one point ahead of Larson.
Larson won his second pole of the season, third of his career. Larson posted a lap of 202.156 mph in his No. 42 Chevrolet. . . .
Jimmie Johnson agreed to a three-year contract extension that keeps the seventime NASCAR Cup Series champion with Hendrick Motorsports through 2020.
Misc.: Valentin hurt in crash
Former Red Sox infielder John Valentin and his mother were injured when the SUV he was driving crashed into a building in Red Bank, N.J. Police said Valentin, 50, and his 71-year-old mother sustained injuries that were not life-threatening. Police said Valentin may have suffered a medical problem prior to the crash.
Valentin played for the Red Sox from 1992 to 2001. He finished his career with the New York Mets in 2002. . . .
Brooke Henderson bogeyed the final two holes for a 4-under 67, leaving the 19-yearold with a 2-stroke lead in the Meijer LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids, Mich. Henderson had seven birdies to reach 12-under 130, a 36-hole course record. . . .
Feliciano Lopez upset Tomas Berdych 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4 and Mischa Zverev ended veteran Tommy Haas’ run in the Stuttgart Open quarterfinals. Zverev defeated Haas 6-4, 6-4 for a semifinal against Lopez.