Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis suspended 25 games after testing positive for banned painkiller
The NBA suspended Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. for 25 games without pay because he tested positive for the painkiller Tramadol, a violation of the league's anti-drug program.
Portis cannot play again until April 8 — the 79th game of the Bucks' 82-game regular-season schedule — at the earliest. His suspension starts with Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
'I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,' Portis said in a statement the team released. 'During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved. I feel horrible and recognize that I'm responsible for what I put in my body.'
Portis took the painkiller 'unintentionally,' said his agent, Mark Bartelstein. Portis thought he was taking Toradol, which is approved and which he has taken before, Bartelstein said in details first given to ESPN and later confirmed to The Associated Press. Portis did not realize he was taking Tramadol — which was properly prescribed but is on the NBA's banned substance list.
'I am deeply disappointed that the NBA chooses to interpret its policy so strictly and that the policy does not allow for a different result for an honest mistake with pure intentions,' Bartelstein said in the statement. 'Bobby loves being a part of the NBA and he loves being a role model and a true ambassador for the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee.
'This has been incredibly difficult for him, but he will accept this penalty with grace and turn this into a great opportunity to improve and further build his reputation and performance in every way, both on and off the court.'
Portis, considered one of the league's tougher players and a key part of the Bucks rotation, is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds this season playing mostly off the bench. He's in his fifth season in Milwaukee after beginning his career with the Chicago Bulls in 2015.
The 30-year-old Portis will lose $2,858,701 in salary because of the suspension, which comes with the Bucks starting post-All-Star-break play fifth in the Eastern Conference — one game behind the No. 4 Indiana Pacers, one game ahead of the No. 6 Detroit Pistons and 3½ games ahead of the No. 7 Orlando Magic.
It's a blow to the Bucks, who are 21-10 when Portis scores at least 10 points this season. When he doesn't, they're 8-14 — and entering Thursday, they're 2-5 this season when he doesn't play, with all five losses by at least 10 points.
'This is a very difficult set of circumstances for Bobby and our team,' Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. 'He and the Bucks organization respect the NBA/NBAPA Anti-Drug Program and will accept what's been handed down.
'But we 100% support Bobby. Together we will take this opportunity to grow and will have a better and stronger Bobby and Milwaukee Bucks team. He's an integral part of who we are, a huge member of the Milwaukee community, and we look forward to his return.'
The suspension happens just when the Bucks appeared on the verge of getting their full roster together after making multiple moves at the trade deadline, including the trade of three-time All-Star wing Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the Bucks' last six games before the All-Star break with a strained left calf, but he practiced Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday's game. Antetokounmpo still hasn't played alongside new Bucks Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jericho Sims, who joined the team at the deadline.
Portis spoke to the media after practice Wednesday and was asked how much he was looking forward to seeing how the team might fare once everyone was available.
'The trade deadline was a couple of weeks ago and we are just now being able to see what it looks like,' he said. 'It's kind of fun for us going forward, especially just to pick the game apart, figure out what everybody does well and try to make it mold into one.'
Portis is in his 10th NBA season. He was part of the Bucks' 2021 championship team and played for USA Basketball at the 2023 World Cup in Manila. He's one of four remaining players from the championship squad along with Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton.
'From the bottom of my heart, I want to apologize to the Bucks organization, my teammates, coaches, family and fans,' Portis said in his statement. 'I give everything I have on the court and will terribly miss playing games for the Bucks during this time. I will continue to work hard and be ready for our long playoff run. Thank you for your support. I appreciate it more than you know.'
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