Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended for 25 games without pay after testing positive for Tramadol, a painkiller prohibited under the NBA’s anti-drug program, The Associated Press reports.
The suspension, which began Thursday with the Bucks’ victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, will sideline Portis until at least April 8, the 79th game of Milwaukee’s 82-game regular-season schedule.
Portis’ agent, Mark Bartelstein, asserts that the player ingested the banned substance “unintentionally,” believing he was taking Toradol, a permitted medication he has used previously.
Bartelstein expressed his disappointment with the league’s strict interpretation of its 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,” he said.
He added that Portis would “accept this penalty with grace” and use it as an opportunity to improve both on and off the court.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers confirmed the positive test occurred “a long time ago” but refrained from providing further details. He voiced his opinion that the severity of the punishment was unwarranted given the circumstances.
Portis, a key contributor off the bench known for his toughness, is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Bucks this season. The suspension adds to a difficult period for the veteran player, who recently mourned the loss of his grandmother and was also a victim of recent burglaries in Florida, for which federal charges have been filed against a group of individuals.
While suspended, Portis is permitted to practice with the team and be present at the arena on game days, although he must leave two hours before tip-off, according to Rivers. The 30-year-old will forfeit $2,858,701 in salary as a result of the suspension.
The timing of the suspension is particularly challenging for the Bucks, who entered the post-All-Star break ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference. Following multiple trade deadline acquisitions, including the trade of Khris Middleton, the team was on the verge of fielding its full roster for the first time. Thursday’s game marked the debut of Giannis Antetokounmpo alongside new teammates Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., and Jericho Sims.
With Portis sidelined, the Bucks will be without a crucial piece of their expected playoff rotation until near the end of the regular season. Veteran guard Damian Lillard is relying on his experience to navigate the situation and maintain team cohesion.
Portis is in his 10th NBA season and has been with the Bucks for half of that time. He is one of four remaining players from the Bucks’ 2021 championship team, alongside Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, and Pat Connaughton.
