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Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. was given a 25-game suspension without pay by the NBA on Thursday because he tested positive for the pain medication Tramadol, which violates the league’s anti-drug regulations.
Portis will be unable to participate in games until April 8 at the earliest, which is the 79th game on Milwaukee's 82-game regular-season schedule. His suspension started with the Bucks' game on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,” Portis stated in a statement issued by the team. “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.”
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Portis took the painkiller “unintentionally,” according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein. Portis believed he was taking Toradol, which is permitted and which he has previously taken, according to Bartelstein. Portis was unaware he was taking Tramadol, which was legally prescribed but is on the NBA's list of banned substances.
“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 a 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.”
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Prior to Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Bucks coach Doc Rivers stated that Portis' positive test occurred "a long time ago," though he did not provide further details. Rivers stated that, given the circumstances, he thought the punishment was excessively harsh.
“Rules are rules,” Rivers said. “I get it. I get it. But there are also human circumstances and common sense to me. One thing Bobby’s not is a cheater. To me, that’s what we have to try, to figure out how to change this a little bit. Because when it’s clear ... when (the names of the substances) are that close, and it’s clear, you can tell now from the blood samples that was the only time ever, that you would think we could do something less severe. But we have this rule, if you do it, you’re out. That’s the way it is. I just feel bad for Bobby on so many levels.”
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Portis, who is regarded as one of the league's most tenacious players and a crucial component of the Bucks' rotation, is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Bucks this season, mostly coming off the bench.
It has already been a difficult season for Portis, who was absent for six games due to the death of his grandmother. Portis was also included on the list of athletes whose homes were burgled, incidents that led to federal charges being filed in Florida on Wednesday against seven men from Chile.
“The thing I did tell him is this is going to be one hell of a story for you,” Rivers said. “Our goals haven’t changed as a team. It’s going to be harder. Bobby’s a huge loss. I’m not going to try to sugarcoat that. He’s been so good for us, not only on the floor, but his spirit. We need his spirit.”
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“But we get to still play. And Bobby does not get to play. And that’s the tough part in this whole thing.”
Portis is allowed to practice with the team and attend games at the arena, but he must leave two hours before the opening tip, according to Rivers.
The 30-year-old Portis will forfeit $2,858,701 in pay as a result of the suspension. The Bucks began post-All-Star break play ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference.
It is a setback for the Bucks, who have a record of 21-10 when Portis scores at least 10 points this season. When he doesn't, they have a record of 8-14; as of Thursday, they were 2-5 this season when he didn't play, with all of the defeats coming 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.”
After making a number of moves at the trade deadline, including the trade of three-time All-Star wing Khris Middleton to Washington, the Bucks appeared to be on the verge of assembling their entire roster.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the Bucks' last six games before the All-Star break due to a strained left calf, but he has returned to practice this week. Before Thursday's game, Antetokounmpo had yet to play alongside Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., and Jericho Sims, all of whom joined the team at the deadline.
Portis is in his tenth NBA season, having played half of that time with the Bucks. He was a member of Milwaukee's 2021 NBA championship squad and represented the United States at the 2023 World Cup in Manila.
He is one of four players still on the Bucks' championship roster, 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.”
via. apnews
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