Bobby Portis Suspended 25 Games for NBA Drug Violation
Milwaukee Bucks power forward Bobby Portis has been suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA’s Anti-Drug Program. The suspension comes as a significant blow to both Portis and the Bucks, who are currently battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Portis tested positive for Tramadol, a medication used to treat intense pain that was added to the NBA’s prohibited substances list last summer. His representative, Mark Bartelstein, stated that the violation was an unintentional mistake, explaining that Portis mistakenly took Tramadol instead of Toradol, a pain reliever commonly used by players.
“Bobby is devastated. He made an honest mistake and the ramifications are incredibly significant,” Bartelstein said. “Bobby unintentionally took an analgesic called Tramadol, thinking that he was taking Toradol. Toradol is an approved analgesic that players and teams use for pain and inflammation. However, Tramadol was recently added to the list of prohibited substances last summer.”
The 25-game suspension will keep Portis sidelined for most of the remainder of the season, leaving the Bucks without a key contributor off the bench. Portis averages 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, ranking sixth in scoring and second in rebounds among NBA reserves. He has been a perennial candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award, highlighting his significant impact on the Bucks’ success.
“Bobby’s absence is a huge loss for us,” said Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer. “He’s a crucial part of our team, and we’ll certainly miss his energy and leadership on the court. But we have to move forward and find ways to thrive without him.”
The Bucks are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 29-24 record. The team now faces a challenging task of maintaining their playoff position without Portis’ contributions.
Adding to his loss on the court, Portis will also forfeit approximately $2.85 million in salary due to the suspension.
Portis is eligible to return on April 8th when the Bucks face the Minnesota Timberwolves.