Image Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Who is Bobby Portis Jr.? All you need to know about Milwaukee Bucks forward who got suspended

The Bucks were dealt a major blow as Bobby Portis was suspended 25 games for using a banned drug substance.

Image Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks recovered from a disaster start to the 2024-25 NBA season. The chemistry of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard was clearly visible and played a crucial role in saving the sinking ship.

However, the Bucks were dealt a major blow as Bobby Portis was suspended 25 games for using a banned drug substance. The impact on their playoff seed will be one to see with the star duo also struggling from injuries.

Just In: The NBA has suspended Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis for 25 games for violating the league's anti-drug policy, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/FeSDo4jb0k
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2025

Who is Bobby Portis Jr.?

Bobby Portis was drafted as the 22nd overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2015 NBA Draft. As of February 2025, Portis plays for the Milwaukee Bucks and has spent over four-seasons at the franchise.

The forward has spent 10 years in the league, making 651 regular-season appearances for multiple franchises. He has played for Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks.

His consistent performances from the bench had him established as one of the best sixth-man in the league. Out of his 651 appearances, Portis had only started 153 games in his career. The last two seasons, Portis also finished in top-three in the Sixth-Man of the Year race.

Bobby Portis’ most memorable moment came in 2021, winning the 2021 NBA championship. The forward averaged 8.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game in 20 playoff games for the Bucks in 2021 playoffs.

Why NBA suspended Bobby Portis Jr.?

According to the latest reports, Bobby Portis is suspended for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.

The news comes as a blow for the Milwaukee Bucks who will be without their best role-player for the most crucial part of the season.

His agent, Mark Bartelstein cleared the air surrounding the controversy and claims it was a “honest mistake”. The suspension is due to the medication named, Tramadol. The medicine is used for pain and inflammatory issues by the players. However, the NBA had recently banned the substance in past spring. The agent also claims that this was all due to a confusion and the player thought he was taking “Toradol” which he has a valid prescription for.

Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports to ESPN on client Bobby Portis' 25-game suspension, detailing what took place: https://t.co/sB9vmPVYxA pic.twitter.com/tVvbotBJlt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2025

The suspension is due to the medication named, Tramadol. The medicine is used for pain and inflammatory issues by the players. However, the NBA had recently banned the substance in past spring. The agent also claims that this was all due to a confusion and the player had a valid prescription for the medication.

Also Read:

Bobby Portis Jr.

Milwaukee Bucks

NBA 2024-25

Suryansh Kumar

NBA/WNBA Writer

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Hello, my name is Suryansh, and I write NBA/WNBA content for ThePlayoffs. I love sports, which is why I write and I love the NBA because of the stats. My aim is to find unique stats and perspectives to provide my readers with another angle on sports.