NBA suspends Bucks big man for 25 games 

Bucks big man Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended 25 games without pay for violating the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program terms, the league’s communications department reports.

Portis tested positive for Tramadol. According to Drugs.com, Tramadol “is an opioid agonist that may be used to treat moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults.”

Portis’ suspension will begin with Thursday’s game between the Bucks and Clippers. The Bucks played 53 games prior to the All-Star break, which means Portis won’t be eligible to return until April 8, when the Bucks host Minnesota.

Milwaukee is 29-24 and in no danger of dropping out of the postseason picture. However, with the team emerging from the break with the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference, Portis’ suspension could impact whether it holds onto a top six spot and an automatic berth into the first round.

Portis is one of the league’s top reserves. This season, he’s averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 25.2 minutes per game. He’s come off the bench in 39 on 46 games played.

According to Portis’ agent Mark Bartelstein, Portis took the drug by accident.

“I am devastated for Bobby right now because he made an honest mistake and the ramifications of it are incredibly significant,” Bartelstein wrote in a statement by ESPN’s Shams Charania. “Bobby unintentional 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 the 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 listed this past spring. The Tramadol pill came from an assistant of his, with a valid prescription f0r the painkiller, which he mistakenly told Bobby was Toradol.”

The statement went on to say that “I [Bartelstein] am deeply disappointed that the NBA chooses to interpret its policy so strictly” but that Portis “will accept his penalty with grace.”

Portis and GM Jon Horst also issued statements via a team press release. Portis apologized for his “honest mistake,” and Horst confirmed that the team would accept the suspension.

“I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,” Portis said. “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.”

“This is a very difficult set of circumstances for Bobby and our team,” Horst said. “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.” 

With Portis often serving as the backup center to Brook Lopez, recently-acquired Jericho Sims could have a significant role the remainder of the season. Taurean Prince, who was projected to lose his starting role with the trade acquisition of Kyle Kuzma, will also likely absorb some of Portis’ minutes.

Portis is in the third year of a four-year, $48.6M contract. He holds a $13,445,754 option on his contract for next season.