The NBA has handed down a 25-game suspension to Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis after he tested positive for Tramadol, a banned painkiller, violating the league’s anti-drug policy. As per Shams Charania, the suspension takes effect immediately, meaning Portis will not be eligible to return until April 8, just four games before the regular season ends.
This is a major setback for the Bucks, who are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and battling for playoff positioning. Portis has been one of the most impactful sixth men in the league, providing key production off the bench while averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
In a statement released by the team, Portis explained that he had been dealing with an elbow injury and was using an NBA-approved medication for pain management. During this period, he mistakenly took Tramadol, believing it was Toradol, a legal anti-inflammatory medication commonly used in the league.
His agent, Mark Bartelstein, reinforced that this was not intentional, emphasizing that the similarity in the names of the drugs led to confusion. Despite his frustration, Portis has accepted the league’s ruling and will not appeal the suspension.
Portis’ absence will be a huge blow for the Bucks, as they look to gain momentum heading into the playoffs. Milwaukee has struggled when he hasn’t played, posting a 2-5 record in games he missed this season, with all five losses by double digits.
Portis will lose nearly $2.86 million in salary due to the suspension, adding to the personal and professional cost of his mistake. The Bucks recently reshaped their roster, including the trade of Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards.
This was meant to strengthen their lineup alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, but with Portis now out, the team will have to make more adjustments.
Antetokounmpo, who missed six games before the All-Star break with a calf strain, practiced on Wednesday but remains questionable for Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Portis’ absence leaves a major void in Milwaukee’s frontcourt, putting pressure on Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, and newly acquired Kyle Kuzma to step up in his place.
Portis has been an integral part of the Bucks’ identity since joining the team in 2020. He played a key role in Milwaukee’s 2021 NBA Championship run, bringing a combination of toughness, scoring, and rebounding that made him a fan favorite.
The good news for Milwaukee is that Portis will be back just before the postseason, allowing him to regain his rhythm before the playoff push begins.
The Bucks are still in contention for a top-four seed in the East, and if Giannis and Lillard remain healthy, they should still be among the title favorites.
For Portis, this suspension serves as a tough lesson about the strict nature of the NBA’s drug policy. Even though his mistake was not intentional, the league maintains a zero-tolerance policy on banned substances, regardless of the context.
With his return set for April, Portis now has an opportunity to prove his commitment and help the Bucks chase another NBA championship.
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