Bobby Portis won’t be suitable to return to the Bucks until finally April 8. (Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Visuals)
Milwaukee Bucks ahead Bobby Portis was suspended twenty five game titles without buy violating the NBA’s anti-drug plan, the league announced Thursday. He analyzed positive for Tramadol.

Portis’ agent, Mark Bartelstein, released a statement claiming the violation was basically a mixture-up. Bartelstein reported Portis assumed he was getting a soreness medication named Toradol, that's accepted, but alternatively took Tramadol, which is not. The assertion stated Portis was offered the incorrect medication by an assistant of his, and it absolutely was “an trustworthy blunder.”

“Bobby Portis is completely not a drug abuser,” Bartelstein wrote. “Bobby performs tirelessly on escalating hisperformance in all natural, legal and balanced techniques, but he designed a miscalculation and took a pill that unknowingly he mustn't have. These days, During this instance, I am so deeply upset that the NBA chooses to interpret its coverage so strictly, and the plan doesn't allow for for a special consequence for an sincere miscalculation with pure intentions.”

In a press release launched with the Bucks, Portis reported, “I really feel horrible and identify which i’m chargeable for what I put in my physique. From the bottom of my coronary heart, I want to apologize towards the Bucks Business, my teammates, coaches, household and lovers. I give everything I've over the courtroom and will terribly skip taking part in games for your Bucks throughout this time.”

Bucks common supervisor Jon Horst claimed that even though “that is a very difficult list of situation for Bobby and our group … we a hundred% guidance Bobby.”

The 25-activity suspension would make Portis ineligible to return until eventually the Bucks’ April 8 dwelling match towards the Minnesota Timberwolves. Including that match, the Bucks would have just four frequent-period game titles remaining. Milwaukee at present sits in fifth place while in the Jap Conference, just one sport back again of your Indiana Pacers.

Portis has played in 46 video games for that Bucks this time, averaging 25.2 minutes, 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per match.