Bucks large man Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended 25 video games with out pay for violating the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program phrases, the league’s communications division reports.
Portis examined optimistic for Tramadol. Based on Drugs.com, Tramadol “is an opioid agonist which may be used to deal with average to reasonably extreme power ache in adults.”
Portis’ suspension will start with Thursday’s recreation between the Bucks and Clippers. The Bucks performed 53 video games previous to the All-Star break, which implies Portis gained’t be eligible to return till April 8, when the Bucks host Minnesota.
Milwaukee is 29-24 and in no hazard of dropping out of the postseason image. Nevertheless, with the staff rising from the break with the fifth-best report within the Jap Convention, Portis’ suspension may influence whether or not it holds onto a prime six spot and an computerized berth into the primary spherical.
Portis is likely one of the league’s prime reserves. This season, he’s averaging 13.7 factors, 8.3 rebounds and a pair of.2 assists in 25.2 minutes per recreation. He’s come off the bench in 39 on 46 video games performed.
Based on Portis’ agent Mark Bartelstein, Portis took the drug accidentally.
“I’m devastated for Bobby proper now as a result of he made an trustworthy mistake and the ramifications of it are extremely vital,” Bartelstein wrote in an announcement by ESPN’s Shams Charania. “Bobby unintentional took a ache medicine known as Tramadol, considering he was taking a ache medicine known as Toradol. Toradol is an permitted ache medicine that he has used beforehand and the groups and gamers use for ache and irritation at occasions. Tramadol, nonetheless, is just not an permitted ache medicine and was only in the near past added to the banned substance listed this previous spring. The Tramadol capsule got here from an assistant of his, with a legitimate prescription f0r the painkiller, which he mistakenly informed Bobby was Toradol.”
The assertion went on to say that “I [Bartelstein] am deeply disenchanted that the NBA chooses to interpret its coverage so strictly” however that Portis “will settle for his penalty with grace.”
Portis and GM Jon Horst additionally issued statements by way of a team press release. Portis apologized for his “trustworthy mistake,” and Horst confirmed that the staff would settle for the suspension.
“I used to be coping with an elbow damage and utilizing an NBA-approved medicine for ache and irritation,” Portis mentioned. “Throughout that point, I made an trustworthy mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory capsule that isn’t permitted. I really feel horrible and acknowledge that I’m accountable for what I put in my physique. From the underside of my coronary heart, I wish to apologize to the Bucks group, my teammates, coaches, household, and followers. I give all the things I’ve on the court docket and can terribly miss taking part in video games for the Bucks throughout this time. I’ll proceed to work onerous and be prepared for our lengthy playoff run. Thanks on your assist. I admire it greater than you understand.”
“It is a very troublesome set of circumstances for Bobby and our staff,” Horst mentioned. “He and the Bucks group respect the NBA/NBAPA Anti-Drug Program and can settle for what’s been handed down. However we 100% assist Bobby. Collectively we are going to take this chance to develop and may have a greater and stronger Bobby and Milwaukee Bucks staff. He’s an integral a part of who we’re, an enormous member of the Milwaukee group, and we look ahead to his return.”
With Portis typically serving because the backup heart to Brook Lopez, recently-acquired Jericho Sims may have a big function the rest of the season. Taurean Prince, who was projected to lose his beginning function with the commerce acquisition of Kyle Kuzma, will even doubtless take in a few of Portis’ minutes.
Portis is within the third 12 months of a four-year, $48.6M contract. He holds a $13,445,754 choice on his contract for subsequent season.
