Bucks' Portis suspended 25 games for violating anti-drug policy
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis was suspended without pay for 25 games after violating the league's anti-drug policy by testing positive for Tramadol, the NBA announced Thursday.
"Bobby unintentionally took a pain medication called Tramadol, thinking he was taking a pain medication called Toradol," Portis' agent, Mark Bartelstein, told ESPN's Shams Charania. "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. The Tramadol pill he took came from an assistant of his, with a valid prescription for the painkiller, which he mistakenly told Bobby was Toradol."
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid, while Toradol is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
The Bucks have 29 games left in their regular season. After the first five games of Portis' ban, Milwaukee will be able to move him to the suspended list and can sign a replacement player while he is out, according to NBA journalist Keith Smith.
"I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation," Portis said in a statement, according to The Athletic's Eric Nehm. "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. I give everything I have on the court and will terribly miss playing games for the Bucks during this time. I will continue to work hard and be ready for our long playoff run."
Bartelstein said he'd hoped the league would make a different decision.
"Bobby Portis is absolutely not a drug abuser. ... In this instance, I am so deeply disappointed that the NBA chooses to interpret its policy so strictly, and that the policy does not allow for a different result for an honest mistake with pure intentions," the agent said.
Bucks general manager Jon Horst said, "We 100% support Bobby. ... He's an integral part of who we are, a huge member of the Milwaukee community, and we look forward to his return."
The 30-year-old Portis is averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 46 games for the Bucks this season.
Portis will begin serving his suspension Thursday when the Bucks take on the Los Angeles Clippers.