Bobby Portis is trapped. While gearing up for another match with the Milwaukee Bucks, trying to get back to his best health, he relied on pain medication to push through. But what should’ve been a simple fix for recovery, turned into a nightmare for the 2021 NBA champion.
Previously, Portis has been prescribed Toradol for pain relief. But, unbeknownst to him, an assistant handed him a pill that wasn’t Toradol, but tramadol–a different pain medication that had recently been added to the NBA’s banned substances list. The mix-up seemed harmless at the time, a simple mistake with similar drug names and purposes. But this small slip-up would cost him 25 games.
In a statement about the same, Mark Bartelstein, Portis’ agent at Priority Sports, said, “I am devastated for Bobby right now because he made an honest mistake and the ramifications of it are incredibly significant,”. Clarifying that the consumption of the medicine was accidental, he stated: “Bobby unintentionally 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 that 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 list this past spring.”
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
Despite the clarification issued, the hooper will not appeal the suspension. Bartelstein added, acknowledging that the mix-up was unintentional but still very impactful.
The 25-game suspension left Portis with a heavy heart. He shared his feelings about the situation, offering an emotional apology: “I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,” the hooper 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.”
With Portis on suspension, the Bucks are now without one of their top reserves. This is his fifth season with the team and he has averaged 13.7 points per game and 6.5 rebounds. This season’s stats speak to his importance to the team: 25.2 minutes per game, 46.3% shooting from the field, 36.4% from three, 8.3 rebounds per 48 minutes, 1.2 steals, and 1.9 assists per game.
From his energy and hustle to his versatility, we have seen him become a key contributor to the team. His absence will be felt as the team navigates through the remainder of the regular season and heads toward the playoffs.
A small pill making a player lose out on 25 games and a $2.85 million pay is certainly a big deal. So, amidst all the chaos, a relevant question emerges: What exactly is this medication that led to a situation so averse?
What is Tramadol? Understanding the Drug that changed everything for Bobby Portis?
Tramadol is a prescription medication used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. It is classified as a synthetic opioid, but unlike stronger opioids, it also acts as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). This dual action means that tramadol doesn’t just relieve pain—it can also influence mood, making it effective not only for physical pain but also for emotional distress tied to injuries.
Doctors commonly prescribe tramadol for recovery from surgery or injuries, and it is available in several forms, including immediate-release tablets that start working within an hour, or as an injection. However, like many medications, tramadol has its risks. While the drug can provide relief, it also comes with potential side effects such as nausea, dizziness, constipation, and even more serious conditions like seizures, hallucinations, and serotonin syndrome.
As with all opioids, there’s also the risk of addiction, especially if the medication is misused. Tramadol works by being metabolized into a stronger opioid in the liver, which intensifies its effect on the body. This is why doctors urge caution, especially for those with liver or kidney issues, and why misuse or overuse can have severe consequences. In 2023, the NBA added tramadol to its banned substances list, due to its addictive properties and potential for misuse.
It reflected growing concerns within the league about players’ health and safety, especially when it comes to recovery and pain management. What are your thoughts on Portis’s struggles? Share them with us in the comments below!
The post What Is Tramadol? The Truth Behind Bobby Portis’ Suspension and NBA’s Drug Policies Revealed appeared first on EssentiallySports.