UPDATE at 3:30 p.m. CST on Feb. 20, 2025: Milwaukee Bucks President Peter Feigin joined Wisconsin’s Midday News, providing his reaction and a closer look at the news that fan-favorite forward Bobby Portis has been suspended 25 games for “unintentionally” taking a banned substance.
“We believe this was an honest mistake. You know, Bobby has and will continue to take drug tests, of which he’s never had any issues with,” Feigin told Wisconsin’s Midday News. “This is real and this will be a tough time for Bobby.”
When asked how this happened, Feigin explained that it was a ‘one-time mistake,’ and while that may be the case, Feigin does not expect Bobby or the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) to appeal the suspension.
“Bobby will be able to practice. He’ll be around the team. We’re gonna kind of use this opportunity for Bobby to be in an incredible mindset and physical set for when he returns right before the Playoffs,” Feigin said.
He also suggested that the team may use its newly-acquired center, Jericho Sims more often than any otherwise would’ve, with Kyle Kuzma’s role also being amplified without Portis.
Dr. Ben Weston, Chief Health Policy Advisor for Milwaukee County, helped Wisconsin’s Midday News’ Greg Matzek & Jessica Tighe understand the differences between Tramadol, the banned drug Portis allegedly took, and Toradol, the drug he meant to take.
“Tramadol is a weaker opioid,” Dr. Weston explained. “Toradol is an anti-inflammatory, very similar to ibuprofen and given for, kind of muscle injuries and things like that.”
Dr. Weston said that they are both prescription medications that are not available over the counter, but that Tramadol “treat pain in a unique sort of way, but can cause dependency, can cause altered mental status and things like this.”
He believes it’s “very likely” that Tramadol is banned by the NBA because it’s an opioid, and it “could potentially be dangerous to perform in sports when you’re on these medications at the same time.”
The following breaking news story has been left unaltered from its original publishing.
MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks will be without their beloved Sixth Man, Bobby Portis for 25 of the final 29 regular-season games of the season after the forward/center unknowingly used a substance on the league’s ban list.
The suspension was first reported by Senior NBA Insider, Chris Haynes. Soon after, it was confirmed by ESPN’s Shams Charania, who obtained a statement from Portis’ agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports & Entertainment.
Bartelstein claims that Portis accidentally took a pill called Tramadol, which he says was put on the NBA’s banned substances list this past Spring. However, Portis’ agent claims that he thought he was taking Toradol for discomfort associated with an elbow injury.
He said it was 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 unclear whether Portis and/or the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) will appeal the suspension. He released the following statement via the Bucks:
“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.”
Bartelstein concluded his statement saying “This has been incredibly difficult for [Bobby], but he will accept his penalty with grace and turn this into a great opportunity to improve and further build his reputation and performance in every way, both on and off the court.”
They claim that Bobby’s assistant mixed the two substances up and accidentally provided the wrong prescription to the 30-year-old forward in his fifth year in Milwaukee.
You can read the full statement here:
“This is a very difficult set of circumstances for Bobby and our team,” Bucks general manager Jon 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 is averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in roughly 25 minutes per game.
This is a breaking news story. An update and/or follow-up may be issued as further details are revealed.
