This story was updated with new information.
WASHINGTON D.C. — The NBA announced Thursday that it suspended Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. 25 games for testing positive for the painkiller Tramadol, which is an opiate. The suspension will begin tonight as the Bucks host the Los Angeles Clippers and run through April 6.
The suspension was not appealed, and is without pay.
Portis will be able to return for the Bucks’ final four games of the regular season.
In a statement released by the Bucks, Portis said: “I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation. 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.”
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Portis missed the Nov. 13 game against Detroit after experiencing pain in his elbow during warmups. League sources told the Journal Sentinel the positive test came around Thanksgiving. As for the lag between the positive test and suspension, a league source said there is typically a lengthy process between the two.
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“This is a very difficult set of circumstances for Bobby and our team,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement provided by the team. “He and the Bucks organization respect the NBA/NBAPA Anti-Drug Program and will accept what’s been handed down. But we 100% support Bobby. Together we will take this opportunity to grow and will have a better and stronger Bobby and Milwaukee Bucks team. He’s an integral part of who we are, a huge member of the Milwaukee community, and we look forward to his return.”
Portis’ agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, also issued a lengthy statement on behalf of Portis to further explain what happened:
Bartelstein wrote, in part, “I am devastated for Bobby right now because he made an honest mistake and the ramifications of it are incredibly significant. Bobby unintentionally took a pain medication called Tramadol, thinking he was taking a pain medication called Toradol.”
Bartelstein noted that Toradol is an approved pain medication while Tramadol was banned by the league before the season began.
The agent also said Portis took the legally prescribed Tramadol from his personal assistant.
“Bobby is a great person, teammate and professional, and has a wonderful reputation in our league, his communities, and his team,” Bartelstein wrote. “There are no bigger fans of the NBA than Bobby and I, and we are grateful to have closely and collaboratively worked with the NBA on countless occasions.
“We support the league’s anti-drug policy and its purpose in having a fair, competitive, healthy landscape for our athletes as it relates to drugs of abuse, performance enhancing issues, etc. Bobby Portis is absolutely not a drug abuser. Bobby works tirelessly on increasing his performance in all natural, legal, healthy ways but he made a mistake and took a pill that unknowingly he should not have. Today, 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.”
A National Basketball Players Association (NBAPA) spokesperson provided the following statement to the Journal Sentinel on Feb. 21: “Over the course of his career, Bobby has continued to prove himself as a great teammate, leader and role model. He has an exceptional reputation of making an impact in both his hometown and the communities he has played in.
“This unfortunate situation is not a reflection of Bobby’s character, and the NBPA will continue to provide Bobby with its full resources and support during this time. This is a teachable moment; it is important that all our members stay vigilant about what they put in their bodies to adhere to the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.”
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