According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the NBA has suspended Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis for 25 games, citing their anti-drug policy.
Bobby Portis’ Agent Responds to His Client’s Suspension
Just In: The NBA has suspended Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis for 25 games for violating the league's anti-drug policy, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/FeSDo4jb0k
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2025
Portis, who’s been with the Bucks since the 2020-21 season, is averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.
Portis’ agent, Mark Barelstein of Priority Sports, released a lengthy statement regarding his client’s suspension.
Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports to ESPN on client Bobby Portis' 25-game suspension, detailing what took place: https://t.co/sB9vmPVYxA pic.twitter.com/tVvbotBJlt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2025
“I am devastated for Bobby right now because he made an honest mistake and the ramifications of it are incredibly significant.
“Bobby unintentionally took a pain medication called Tramadol, thinking he was taking a pain medication called Toradol. Toradol is an approved pain medication that he has used previously and that teams and players use for pain and inflammation at times.
“Tramadol, however, is not an approved pain medication and was just recently added to the banned substance list this past spring. The Tramadol pill he took came from an assistant of his, with a valid prescription for the painkiller, which he mistakenly told Bobby was Toradol.
“This was, again, an honest mistake that was made because of the similarity in the names of the drugs and the fact they both serve a very similar purpose. Bobby was using this anti-inflammatory pain-reducing medication to deal with an elbow injury he had this past fall and believed he was taking Toradol to alleviate some pain in preparation for that night’s game.
“Bobby is a great person, teammate and professional, and has a wonderful reputation in our league, his communities, and his team. There are no bigger fans of the NBA than Bobby and I, and we are grateful to have closely and collaboratively worked with the NBA on countless occasions.
“We support the league’s anti-drug policy and its purpose in having a fair, competitive, healthy landscape for our athletes as it relates to drugs of abuse, performance enhancing issues, etc. Bobby Portis is absolutely not a drug abuser. Bobby works tirelessly on increasing his performance in all natural, legal, healthy ways, but he made a mistake and took a pill that unknowingly he should not have.
“Today, in this instance, I am so 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.
“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.”
Bobby Portis and Bucks GM Comment
Portis tested positive for Tramadol, a pain killer. He said that he had been taking a league-approved drug to deal with pain and inflammation, but made an “honest mistake.”
“I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation. 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.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to apologize to the Bucks organization, my teammates, coaches, family, and fans. 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.”
Bucks general manager, Jon Horst, provided some kind words for the teams power forward.
“Together we will take this opportunity to grow and will have a better and stronger Bobby and Milwaukee Bucks team,” Portis said. “He’s an integral part of who we are, a huge member of the Milwaukee community, and we look forward to his return.”
Portis was drafted No. 22 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He was a member of the Bucks’ 2021 NBA championship team.
Before the trade deadline, PFSN’s Matt John pondered whether the team would look to trade him following the deal involving Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma.
As of Feb. 20, the Bucks are 29-24 and fifth in the Eastern Conference.
