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.”
