THE NBA has announced that Bobby Portis has been hit with a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
The Milwaukee Bucks star tested positive for a banned painkiller.
Portis will be ineligible to play for the Bucks until April 8, the team’s 79th game of the 82-game season.
He will not be paid during the 25-game suspension.
Portis tested positive for the painkiller Tramadol, which is on the league’s banned substance list.
“Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended without pay for 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for Tramadol,” the league said in a statement.
“Portis’ suspension will begin with tonight’s game between the Bucks and LA Clippers at Fiserv Forum.”
According to Portis’ agent, Mark Bartelstein, Portis took the painkiller “unintentionally.”
They claim that Portis thought he was taking Toradol, which is an approved substance and is something he has used before.
He claims he did not realize that he was taking Tramadol, but emphasized that it was properly prescribed.
“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 a 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 is averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game this season.
NBA fans shared their shock about Portis’ ban on social media after it was announced.
“PEDS to average 13 ppg off the bench ” one fan said.
“All because his trainer mixed up medications… smh fire that man,” another fan said.
New rights deal
The NBA signed an 11-year deal with three networks for the league's rights from the 2025-26 season.
And there will be no games on TNT for the first time since the network launched in 1988.
The Walt Disney Company will continue to show the league with 80 regular-season games across ESPN and ABC.
They will also show around 18 playoff games from the first and second round, a Conference Finals series for 10 of the 11 years, and remain the home of the NBA Finals.
NBC will return as an NBA broadcaster for the first time since 2002.
The network will show up to 100 games per season across it’s channels and Peacock streaming service.
It will also be the home of NBA All-Star and show approximately 28 playoff games from the first and second round.
NBC will show one Conference Finals Series for six of the 11 years, rotating with new broadcaster Amazon Prime.
Amazon will show 66 NBA regular-season games including one on Black Friday.
The streaming service is also the home of the latter stages of the NBA Cup and the entire Play-In Tournament.
Prime will also broadcast around one third of the playoff games in the first and second round.
“Big loss for the Bucks. Bobby Portis has been crucial for them this season,” a third fan said.
“No way bro was juiced up,” a fourth fan said.
“This hurts the Bucks… he’s a key player off their bench,” a fifth fan said.
The Bucks are in the midst of a playoff push, sitting at 29-24 and owning the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Portis will be able to rejoin the team by the time they enter the playoffs.
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