Why is Bobby Portis suspended? Latest on Bucks forward’s significant punishment by NBA

Bobby Portis has long been a key contributor for the Milwaukee Bucks, but will not be with them during their push for the playoffs. Coming out of the All-Star break, news emerged that the veteran forward has been hit with a hefy suspension.

On Thursday morning, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Ports will be suspended the Bucks' next 25 games. He has been handed this punishment for violating NBA's anti-drug policy.

This is a tough blow for the Bucks, who are looking to climb the standings in the Eastern Conference. They currently sit in fifth place, and now have to navigate being without a key member of their second unit. This season, Portis is averaging 13.7. points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 36.4% from beyond the arc.

Shortly after Charania's reported the latest on Bobby Portis, the league put out an official press release. They too announced he'll be suspended 25 games, and it will begin tonight in Milwaukee's matchup with the LA Clippers.

This suspension will carry through most of the regular season schedule, with Bobby Portis being able to make his return just before the playoffs. The first game he'll be eligible to play in on April 10th against the New Orleans Pelicans, what will be the Bucks' 80th game of the year.

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Bobby Portis' agent speaks out on Bucks forward being handed 25-game suspension

Not long after reporting on the suspension, Shams Charania had a statement from Bobby Portis' agent. In there, he detailed a slip-up that led to the veteran forward violating the league's drug policy.

While speaking on the matter, Mark Bartelstein stated there was a mix up regarding pain medication Portis took. He failed because he tested positive for a drug called Tramadol. According to Bartelstein, Portis took it thinking it was Toradol, an approved painkiller by the NBA.

"Bobby unintentionally took a pain medication called Tramadol, thinking he was taking a pain medication called Toradol," Bartelstein said. "Toradol is an approved pain medication that he has used previously and that teams and players use for pain and inflammation at times. Tramadol, however, is not an approved pain medication and was just recently added to the banned substance list this past summer."

This mistake has proven to be a costly one, as Bobby Portis now finds himself sidelined for most of what's left of the regular season. Doc Rivers now faces the tall task of filling the void left by him in the second unit.

Portis served as the primary backup to Brook Lopez at center. With him suspended, that role will now have to be taken on newly-acquired Jericho Sims. As for the minutes at power forward, they will be occupied by Kyle Kuzma, Taurean Prince and Pat Connaughton.