The Milwaukee Bucks are 29-24 with 29 games left to play in the 2024-25 NBA regular season. Currently with the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee needs to avoid falling below the sixth seed in order to stay out of the NBA play-in tournament, which is played by the seventh-tenth seeds in each conference.
Fortunately, the Bucks are getting Giannis Antetokounmpo back for the home stretch. The nine-time All-Star missed Milwaukee’s six games prior to the break and the All-Star Game itself due to a calf strain. A two-time NBA MVP, the Greek Freak is having another MVP-caliber season with averages of 31.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game.
Unfortunately, however, they will be without perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate Bobby Portis, who has been suspended for 25 games.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Bobby Portis Has Been Suspended 25 Games
Per a report by Shams Charania of ESPN, “Portis tested positive for the drug tramadol, a medication used to treat severe pain among adults. It is an instance that his representative, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, said was an accident.”
According to the report, Portis tested positive for a banned painkiller called tramadol thinking it was an approved medication named Toradol.
Portis’ agent told ESPN, “Bobby was using this anti-inflammatory pain-reducing medication to deal with an elbow injury he had this past fall and believed he was taking Toradol to alleviate some pain in preparation for that night’s game.”
In other words, this failed test happened months ago, so it is something that the Bucks knew was going to happen. However, it took a while for the NBA to hand down the suspension as Milwaukee negotiated some concessions with the league. As a result, Portis is able to practice with the team and be present in the arena, but must leave no later than two hours before game time.
Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers Has Bobby Portis’ Back
Prior to tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers bemoaned the NBA failing to recognize the difference between an honest mistake and a player abusing hard drugs:
“There’s been a lot, a lot of communication, obviously. This (discussion) has been going on for a while, and it’s really, it bothers me in a lot of ways. Bobby, I want to make something clear, Bobby’s not a drug user. I hate that it just says that you flunked a drug policy, and so when people read that the first place they go is the wrong place. This was as big of a mistake as can be made. But it’s a mistake. And so it bothers me on a lot of levels. I think, as a league – trying to steer close to the middle here – but we got to try to, rules are rules and I get it, but there are also human circumstances and common sense to me.”
It is also worth noting that Portis, who is not appealing the suspension, is facing a punishment that is similar in length to ones handed down by the league to players guilty of domestic violence.
Yes, Portis broke the rules and deserves a consequence, but 25 games seems excessive.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- “25 Games for Tramadol?” Bucks Fans Question Harsh Punishment for Bobby Portis
- Bucks Fans’ Instant Reactions to Bobby Portis Suspension
- Bucks’ Damian Lillard Eligible for Big Payday This Season
- Bucks Fans Are Furious with Latest Giannis Antetokounmpo Report
- Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants 1-on-1 Moment vs Khris Middleton
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
