Bobby Portis gained’t be eligible to return for the Bucks until April 8. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Photographs)
Milwaukee Bucks ahead Bobby Portis was suspended twenty five online games without the need of pay for violating the NBA’s anti-drug plan, the league announced Thursday. He tested good for Tramadol.

Portis’ agent, Mark Bartelstein, launched a statement proclaiming the violation was in essence a combination-up. Bartelstein mentioned Portis believed he was taking a pain medication called Toradol, which is approved, but rather took Tramadol, which isn't. The statement said Portis was specified the incorrect medication by an assistant of his, and it had been “an truthful error.”

“Bobby Portis is completely not a drug abuser,” Bartelstein wrote. “Bobby performs tirelessly on growing hisperformance in all natural, authorized and healthy approaches, but he produced a oversight and took a pill that unknowingly he mustn't have. Today, With this occasion, I am so deeply unhappy which the NBA chooses to interpret its plan so strictly, and that the policy won't permit for a distinct final result for an truthful slip-up with pure intentions.”

In a press release released through the Bucks, Portis claimed, “I feel horrible and understand that I’m answerable for what I place in my overall body. From The underside of my heart, I need to apologize on the Bucks Group, my teammates, coaches, spouse and children and fans. I give every thing I've over the court docket and can terribly skip taking part in games for that Bucks all through this time.”

Bucks normal manager Jon Horst said that though “that is a very hard list of conditions for Bobby and our group … we a hundred% help Bobby.”

The twenty five-match suspension would make Portis ineligible to return until finally the Bucks’ April eight residence game from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Which includes that game, the Bucks might have just 4 normal-year games remaining. Milwaukee at the moment sits in fifth location from the Eastern Conference, just one sport back again of your Indiana Pacers.

Portis has played in 46 video games for that Bucks this time, averaging twenty five.two minutes, thirteen.seven details and eight.three rebounds for every sport.