In Milwaukee, it doesn’t rain— it pours. With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined on an unspecified return date, the last thing the Bucks needed needed was another body blow. But this is the NBA and tragedy loves to throw itself upon the unfortunate ones the most. Bobby Portis Jr’s latest conundrum proves the same.
According to Shams Charania, “The NBA has suspended Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.” Yes. 25 games! Basically, his regular season for the Bucks is over. Bobby Portis reportedly took a medicine called Tramadol, confusing it for Toradol, a medically approved pain medication. Drug policy violation is a major red flag in any sport and with the NBA’s strict approach to crack down on any illegal activities, unintentional or otherwise, Portis had the ban coming.
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
Tramadol is an opioid agonist used to treat moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults. However, this medication was added to the NBA’s banned substances list this past spring. With the suspension, Portis’ next game availability will be on April 25 against the Timberwolves and by then the Bucks will have only four games left before the playoffs. The 30-year-old was having a good season so far, playing 46 games. In those, he was averaging 13.7 points in 25.2 minutes per night. With Khris Middleton gone as a part of the Kyle Kuzma trade, Portis’ unavailability will be a headache for Doc Rivers going into the final phase before the playoffs.
“I feel horrible and recognize that I’m responsible for what I put in my body,” Bobby Portis said via an official statement through the franchise. “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.”
This is a developing story…
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