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Nuggets' J.J. Hickson suspended 5 games for drug use

Staff and wire services
USA TODAY Sports
Nuggets big man J.J. Hickson drives to the basket in March.

Denver Nuggets big man J.J. Hickson will be suspended for the first five games of next season because of a failed drug test, the NBA announced Wednesday.

Hickson averaged 11.8 rebounds and 9.2 rebounds in 69 games last season, his first with Denver. He missed the end of last season because of a torn knee ligament but was expected to be back by the beginning of the season.

He has played six seasons in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers and Nuggets, averaging 10.1 points and 7.2 rebounds.

The five-game suspension likely comes from a third failed marijuana test, based on the league's anti-drug guidelines. Harsher penalties are levied on performance-enhancing drug users.

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