Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis Jr. made headlines after being suspended by the NBA this week. Fans are now curious about the details of his suspension and how long the Bucks forward will be sidelined.
Here’s everything you need to know about Bobby Portis Jr.’s NBA suspension and his statement regarding the matter.
Why was Bobby Portis Jr. suspended?
NBA has announced that Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended. This is because he violated the league’s NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program after testing positive for Tramadol. The verdict by the NBA states that the Milwaukee Bucks forward will not be allowed to play for the next 25 games. His suspension period officially began with the February 20, 2025, game against the LA Clippers.
As per Portis’ agent, Mark Bartelstein, the NBA star mistook Tramadol for Toradol, an NBA-approved pain medication. He asserted that it was an honest mistake and that Portis is an avid supporter of the NBA’s anti-drug policy.
Tramadol is a prescription-only opioid that medical professionals use to treat severe pain. However, due to its history of illicit use, the drug falls under the Schedule IV category of Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in the United States. Furthermore, Tramadol is also on the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Naturally, the NBA has banned it along with other drugs with potential for abuse, such as Ambien, Valium, and Xanax.
In the wake of the suspension, Portis Jr. has given a statement addressing the matter. “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,” stated Portis Jr.
Moreover, he went on to apologize to his teammates and loved ones. He said, “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.”
