Bobby Portis Jr. of the Milwaukee Bucks Suspended for 25 Games After Testing Positive for Tramadol

Bobby Portis Jr. of the Milwaukee Bucks Suspended for 25 Games After Testing Positive for Tramadol

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended for 25 games after testing positive for Tramadol, violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, the league announced on Thursday.

Portis, a key player off the bench for the Bucks and a 2021 NBA champion, tested positive for Tramadol, an opioid typically used to relieve pain, especially when other pain medications are ineffective or unsuitable, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In a statement, Portis admitted to mistakenly taking a non-approved pill. “I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,” he explained. “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,” he added.

Bucks General Manager Jon Horst expressed his support for Portis, despite accepting the suspension. “This is a very difficult set of circumstances for Bobby and our team,” Horst said. “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, explained that the 30-year-old forward mistakenly took Tramadol instead of Toradol, a pain medication that is not banned. The pill had been provided by an assistant with a valid prescription. “This was, again, an honest mistake made because of the similarity in the names of the drugs and the fact they both serve a very similar purpose,” Bartelstein said.

CNN has reached out to the National Basketball Players Association for comment.

Portis’ suspension, which is without pay, starts with Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Fiserv Forum. He will be eligible to return for the Bucks’ home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 8, Milwaukee’s fourth-to-last regular season game.

Currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 29-24 record, the Bucks’ postseason chances will not be impacted by Portis’ suspension. He has played in 46 of the team’s 54 games this season, averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.
CNN’s Thomas Schlachter contributed to this report.

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