Bobby Portis Suspended 25 Games for Drug Policy Violation

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended for 25 games by the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug policy after testing positive for Tramadol, an opioid painkiller not approved by the NBA. Portis claims the positive test was due to an honest mistake, as he intended to take Toradol, a league-approved medication, to manage pain from an elbow injury. His agent, Mark Bartelstein, explained that the mix-up occurred because the names and purposes of the drugs are similar, and the Tramadol was provided by an assistant with a valid prescription. Despite the suspension, Bucks general manager Jon Horst expressed support for Portis, acknowledging the challenging situation and emphasizing the player's importance to the team. The suspension means Portis will miss most of the remaining regular-season games, returning only for the last four. The incident highlights the strict enforcement of the NBA's anti-drug policy, even in cases of apparent accidental violations.