Giannis Antetokounmpo loses teammate Bobby Portis Jr over drug test scandal for 25 games 

Bucks star Bobby Portis Jr. was dealt a huge suspension by the NBA after violating an important drug policy on Wednesday

Giannis Antetokounmpo loses teammate Bobby Portis Jr over drug test scandal for 25 games 

Bobby Portis Jr and Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis Jr was one of the most crucial players alongside main man Giannis Antetokounmpo this NBA season. However, he won’t take any part for the Bucks for the next 25 games, missing out on the NBA Playoffs in the process. The reason: As per ESPN reporter, Shams Charania, the NBA suspended Portis Jr for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.

In addition, In a statement to ESPN, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said that his client(Portis Jr) had inadvertently mixed up painkillers. The Bucks star tested positive for ‘Tramadol.’ However, Portis Jr believed he was using a pain medication called ‘Toradol’. This was according to his agent. He had previously used Toradol, an authorized painkiller that teams and athletes occasionally use to treat pain and inflammation.

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In the statement released by his agent, he called it an ‘honest mistake.’ Due to this blunder, Portis Jr will now miss out on the major and most important portion of the NBA 2024-25 season with the Bucks.

This season, the 30-year-old Portis is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game for the Bucks. He will miss all but four of his side’s final 29 games in the 2024–25 season due to his suspension.

The Bucks finishes fifth in the East with a 29–24 record after the All-Star break. With this suspension, all the load now turns onto the Bucks’ main man Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite Antetokounmpo having Damian Lillard beside him, the Bucks have a lot of work cut out if they were to secure a playoff spot this season.

NBA insider made honest admission regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with Bucks

Due to his 25-game suspension, one of the finest connective guys on the team, Bobby Portis Jr will not be playing for the Bucks when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. This puts immense pressure on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Notably, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo wants to remain in Milwaukee but may go elsewhere if he doesn’t experience consistent, long-term success.

Everyone knows Giannis Antetokounmpo loves the Bucks, but I’m here to tell you he loves winning more… They know the pressure, and every summer, when Giannis looks around and looks at the Bucks’ current roster, he looks at sustained long-term winning.

Shams Charania said,

Trade rumors involving Antetokounmpo were stoked by the Bucks’ poor 2024–25 season start. Nevertheless, those suspicions have subsided as the team has improved. They also won the NBA Cup and were unbeaten in the NBA In-Season Tournament. Now, it remains to be seen whether or not the Bucks strengthen their squad in a bid to keep hold of Antetkounmpo.