Sat Feb 22 02:30:00 UTC 2025: **NBA Star Bobby Portis Suspended 25 Games for Anti-Drug Policy Violation**
MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis will be sidelined for 25 games following a violation of the NBA’s anti-drug policy, the league announced Thursday. The suspension, which began immediately following Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, stems from a positive test for tramadol, a pain medication recently added to the league’s banned substance list.
Portis, a key contributor to the Bucks and a two-time top-three finisher for Sixth Man of the Year, insists the positive test was an unintentional mistake. His representative, Mark Bartelstein, stated that Portis mistakenly took tramadol, believing it to be Toradol, an approved pain medication he’d used previously for an elbow injury. The tramadol was provided by an assistant with a valid prescription, who incorrectly identified the medication.
The suspension, which will cost Portis $2.85 million, will keep him off the court until April 8th. His absence is a significant blow to the Bucks, currently fifth in the Eastern Conference. They will have an open roster spot to fill while Portis serves his suspension. While Coach Doc Rivers expressed sympathy for the situation, noting the similarity in the drug names and Portis’s lack of intent, he acknowledged the league’s rules must be followed.
Portis, who is in his tenth NBA season and a key member of the Bucks’ 2021 championship team, issued an apology to the organization, his teammates, and fans. He stated his intention to continue working hard and be ready for the playoffs. Teammates and coaches have expressed support, emphasizing Portis’s strong work ethic and competitive spirit. Despite this setback, the Bucks remain optimistic about their playoff chances.
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