Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis will not be available for the next 25 games of the season. With only 29 regular season games remaining, this means Milwaukee will not have its roster at full strength until right before the start of the NBA Playoffs. This development is especially concerning considering Portis is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds mostly off the bench for the Bucks this season. He is the only front court reserve who has consistently backed up both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez so far this season.
Portis has been suspended by the NBA for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. However, both he and his agent have released statements stating that, while he did take a painkiller that was banned by the league, he did so unwittingly.
That being said, Portis is not appealing his suspension, and it will start tonight as the Bucks take on the Los Angeles Clippers.
Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Jon Horst Releases Statement on Bobby Portis
Per the Bucks website, Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst had the following statement regarding Portis and his 25-game suspension:
“This is a very difficult set of circumstances for Bobby and our team. 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.”
As one can see, it does not seem like the front office has any ill will towards Portis for his failed drug test. They must find there is credibility to his explanation that it was a mistake that he unknowingly made.
That being said, it does not make the task at hand any easier. The Bucks are currently the fifth seed in the NBA Eastern Conference with a record of 29-24. If they fall outside of the sixth seed, they will be a play-in tournament team. It is imperative that they maintain a top-six seed throughout the next 29 games, 25 of which will see them without their only backup center (aside from Jericho Sims, who was acquired at the trade deadline, but has not played).
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
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