Charlotte Hornets` Jeff Taylor suspended 24 games

New York: Charlotte Hornets forward Jeff Taylor was slapped with a 24-game suspension by the NBA on Wednesday after pleading guilty to a domestic violence charge.

It comes amid increased awareness of off-field issues that have tarnished the reputation of US sport, sparked by the Ray Rice case in the National Football League.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a three-page statement that the league is "committed to vigilance with respect to domestic violence."

"This suspension is necessary to protect the interests of the NBA and the public`s confidence in it," Silver said.

"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."

The 25-year-old Taylor has already served 11 games of the suspension and will not be eligible to return until Charlotte`s December 17 game against Phoenix.

Last month, Taylor pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence assault and malicious destruction of hotel property.

Taylor was sentenced to 18 months` probation. As part of his probation, he must complete 26 weeks in a domestic violence intervention program.

The ban Wednesday came after the NBA conducted an investigation into Taylor`s arrest in an East Lansing, Michigan hotel on September 25 following an argument with a woman with whom he was having a relationship.