Thursday, in a shocking announcement, it was confirmed that Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had been suspended for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. This is a surprising revelation for a player like Portis, whose early-career character issues have diminished as he has found a home in Milwaukee and become a reliable pro.
Once the news broke, Portis’ agent and doctor both spoke out about the honest mistake he had made.
“I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,” Portis 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. 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. Thank you for your support. I appreciate it more than you know.”
Portis’ agent, Mark Bartelstein, expressed frustration over the situation, especially knowing that Portis could potentially lose out on about $3 million.
“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,” Bartelstein said. “This was, again, an honest mistake that was made because of the similarity in the names of the drugs and the fact they both serve a very similar purpose.”
It’s a frustrating situation for a Milwaukee team that is still waiting on star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is battling a lower-body injury. The hope is that he will return within two weeks. Portis’ suspension officially started yesterday, leaving him with 24 games remaining before he can return.
Portis is set to make his comeback on April 8 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, just in time for the playoffs.
