The NBA has suspended Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. for 25 games without pay after he tested positive for the painkiller Tramadol, violating the league’s anti-drug policy.

Portis, who played at Little Rock Hall and for the Arkansas Razorbacks, will be ineligible to return until at least April 8, which is Milwaukee’s 79th game of the 82-game regular season.

His suspension began with the Bucks’ matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.

“I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,” Portis said in a statement released 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.”

Portis unintentionally took the painkiller, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein. He believed he was taking Toradol, a league-approved medication he had used before, Bartelstein told ESPN, later confirming the details to The Associated Press.

Portis was unaware that he had taken Tramadol, which was properly prescribed but is listed as a banned substance under the NBA’s anti-drug policy.

“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, known for his toughness and a crucial role in the Bucks’ rotation, is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds this season, primarily coming off the bench.

The 30-year-old will forfeit $2,858,701 in salary due to the suspension, which comes at a critical time for Milwaukee. The Bucks, currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, are one game behind fourth-place Indiana, one game ahead of sixth-place Detroit, and 3.5 games ahead of seventh-place Orlando.

His absence is a significant setback for Milwaukee. The team holds a 21-10 record when Portis scores at least 10 points this season but is just 8-14 when he falls short of that mark. Additionally, they are 2-5 in games he has missed, 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 comes at a time when the Bucks were finally nearing full strength after a series of trade deadline moves, including sending three-time All-Star Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards.

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had missed Milwaukee’s last six games before the All-Star break due to a strained left calf but returned to practice on Wednesday. However, he has yet to play alongside new acquisitions Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., and Jericho Sims, all of whom joined the team at the deadline.

Following Wednesday’s practice, Portis addressed the media and was asked about his excitement for seeing how the team would perform 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,” Portis said. “I think 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, with half of that time spent in Milwaukee. He was a key contributor to the Bucks’ 2021 NBA championship run and represented USA Basketball at the 2023 World Cup in Manila.

He remains one of just four players from Milwaukee’s title-winning squad still on the roster, alongside Giannis 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.”

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III is emerging as a rising star in the league. This season, the former first-round pick is posting career-best numbers in points, rebounds, and assists, despite his team’s struggles. Alongside star forward Zion Williamson, Murphy III is seen as a key part of the Pelicans’ future.

While New Orleans remains focused on building a competitive roster, Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green is less optimistic about the current state of the NBA. During last weekend’s All-Star Game in San Francisco, the four-time champion openly criticized the modern game.

The former Defensive Player of the Year described today’s basketball as “boring,” arguing that it relies too heavily on three-point shooting. Murphy III, however, disagreed with Green’s take and shared his perspective on the Kevin O’Connor Show.

“I don’t agree with that,” Murphy III said. “I think the game’s fun. I still have fun watching basketball; I have fun playing basketball. The trade deadline made ratings go up a lot, so people are more intrigued and tuned in.”

“The last two weeks before All-Star might be a little boring — everybody’s just trying to make All-Star — but the NBA being boring in general? I don’t know about that for sure.”

One could argue that the Warriors dynasty played a pivotal role in the rise of three-point shooting in today’s NBA, with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson among the greatest shooters in history.

By his own account, Trey Murphy III is already among the league’s top three-point shooters.

Early in his career, he became one of just five players in Pelicans history to make over 200 three-pointers in a single season. Standing 6-foot-9, his combination of size and athleticism makes him a nightmare matchup for defenders. He also showcased his athleticism by finishing second in the Slam Dunk Contest a few years ago.

Before the season began, Murphy III secured his future with the Pelicans by signing a four-year contract extension.

The New York Knicks won’t have the luxury of a slow restart after All-Star Weekend.

Their final five games of February will present significant challenges, including matchups against the Eastern Conference’s top two teams.

The No. 3-seeded Knicks (36-18) will first face the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10) on Friday after a warm-up against the Chicago Bulls the day before. They’ll then take on the No. 2-seeded Boston Celtics (39-16) on Sunday.

Beyond those tests, the Knicks will meet the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 26, a team hindered by injuries but expected to regain key players Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, and Kyle Lowry. Finally, they’ll close out the month with a Western Conference battle against the No. 2-seeded Memphis Grizzlies (36-18) on Feb. 28.

What a successful stretch will mean for the Knicks

For the Knicks, a successful stretch would mean finishing above .500 and securing wins against at least two of the three title contenders—Cleveland, Boston, and Memphis. New York has yet to defeat the Cavaliers (0-1) or Celtics (0-2) this season but holds a 1-0 series lead over the Grizzlies.

Size will be a key factor in these matchups. Knicks bigs Karl-Anthony Towns, Precious Achiuwa, and OG Anunoby have an opportunity to make a defensive statement against Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey, Cleveland’s towering duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, and Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis alongside either Al Horford or Luke Kornet.

Defense will be the primary storyline, but offensive efficiency is just as crucial—especially against a Sixers trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Eric Gordon, all capable of scoring 25+ points on any given night. From a playoff perspective, New York could close the 2.5-game gap between them and the Celtics. Overtaking Boston would secure home-court advantage until at least the Eastern Conference Finals, potentially setting the stage for a deep postseason run.

Ex-Mavericks, Knicks guard set to attempt NBA return

Several former NBA players who took their talents overseas are now eyeing a return to the league. On Tuesday, Lonnie Walker IV officially secured his comeback, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, it appears that former Mavericks, Knicks, and Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. is looking to follow suit.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Smith is set to leave Real Madrid and intends to return to the NBA this season. With teams still finalizing their rosters for the stretch run, the 27-year-old sees this as the perfect time to land on a team in need of backcourt toughness.

A ninth-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Smith’s early promise faded quickly after the Mavericks acquired Luka Dončić in a draft-night trade the following year. Deemed an awkward fit alongside Dončić, he was eventually sent to the Knicks in the deal that landed Dallas Kristaps Porzingis. However, his time in New York was short-lived, as he was later moved to the Pistons in the trade that reunited Derrick Rose with the Knicks.

After brief stints with the Hornets and Trail Blazers, Smith carved out a niche as a defensive specialist with the Nets. Despite this, he went unsigned last offseason, prompting a move to Europe. Now, he’s looking for a fresh NBA opportunity—a chance to reignite his career and find a stable role back in the league.

Which team could use the services of ex-Mavericks/Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr.?

Any team in need of backcourt depth might find Dennis Smith Jr. an intriguing option. His athleticism and defensive intensity make him a spark plug at the point guard position, capable of injecting energy into a lineup. However, his offensive limitations—particularly his lack of perimeter shooting—remain a concern.

A team like the Knicks could see value in bringing Smith back, while rebuilding squads such as the Nets, Hornets, or Trail Blazers—all former teams of his—might also consider taking a chance on him.