Wizards' Meeks suspended for playoffs for reported drug policy violation

The Washington Wizards' guard depth has been dealt a significant blow ahead of the team's first-round series against the Eastern Conference's top-seeded Toronto Raptors.

Veteran guard Jodie Meeks has been suspended by the league and will be out for the duration of the playoffs, according to his lawyer, Ben Levine, per a statement given to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

"It is regrettable that the NBA has prematurely taken action against Jodie today," Levine said. "Accordingly, we will appeal the suspension and vigorously defend Jodie's rights. Unfortunately, under the CBA, a player is guilty until proven innocent and while Jodie's appeal is pending he will be forced to sit out the playoffs."

Meeks will reportedly face a 25-game suspension for testing positive for Ipamorelin and Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2, banned compounds under the NBA/NBPA's Anti-Drug program, though no official ruling has been announced by the league.

In his ninth season, Meeks has averaged 6.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game. For a Wizards team with a razor-thin bench behind starting backcourt John Wall and Bradley Beal, the 30-year-old's absence will be felt as the team enters the most pivotal stretch of its season.