Bobby Portis gained’t be qualified to return to the Bucks right until April 8. (Picture by Stacy Revere/Getty Photographs)
Milwaukee Bucks ahead Bobby Portis was suspended twenty five games without the need of pay for violating the NBA’s anti-drug software, the league declared Thursday. He analyzed positive for Tramadol.
Portis’ agent, Mark Bartelstein, introduced an announcement claiming the violation was primarily a combination-up. Bartelstein claimed Portis assumed he was having a pain medication known as Toradol, which can be accredited, but instead took Tramadol, which isn't. The statement stated Portis was offered the incorrect medication by an assistant of his, and it absolutely was “an honest oversight.”
“Bobby Portis is totally not a drug abuser,” Bartelstein wrote. “Bobby performs tirelessly on escalating hisperformance in all organic, lawful and healthier methods, but he built a slip-up 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 trustworthy oversight with pure intentions.”
In a press release released by the Bucks, Portis explained, “I sense Awful and figure out which i’m accountable for what I put in my physique. From The underside of my coronary heart, I would like to apologize to your Bucks Corporation, my teammates, coaches, family and fans. I give every thing I've about the court and may terribly overlook taking part in game titles to the Bucks for the duration of this time.”
Bucks basic supervisor Jon Horst explained that whilst “this is the very difficult list of circumstances for Bobby and our staff … we 100% assist Bobby.”
The twenty five-sport suspension would make Portis ineligible to return right until the Bucks’ April 8 property game towards the Minnesota Timberwolves. Together with that recreation, the Bucks might have just four common-time game titles remaining. Milwaukee at present sits in fifth position in the Jap Meeting, one sport back from the Indiana Pacers.
Portis has performed in forty six online games for that Bucks this period, averaging 25.two minutes, 13.seven factors and 8.three rebounds per sport.