Bucks' Bobby Portis suspended 25 games for banned substance; Spurs' Wembanyama done for season with injury

The NBA has suspended Milwaukee forward Bobby Portis Jr. for 25 games without pay because he tested positive for the painkiller Tramadol, a violation of the league's anti-drug program.

Portis cannot play again until April 8 — the 79th game of Milwaukee's 82 game regular-season schedule — at the earliest. His suspension starts with the Bucks' game Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

"I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation," Portis said in a statement released by the team. "During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved. I feel horrible and recognize that I'm responsible for what I put in my body."

Portis took the painkiller "unintentionally," said his agent, Mark Bartelstein. Portis thought he was taking Toradol, which is approved and is something that he has taken before, Bartelstein said in details first given to ESPN and that he later confirmed to The Associated Press. Portis did not realize that he was taking Tramadol, which was properly prescribed but is on the NBA's banned substance list.

"I am deeply disappointed that the NBA chooses to interpret its policy so strictly, and that the policy does not allow for a different result for an honest mistake with pure intentions," Bartelstein said in the statement. "Bobby loves being a part of the NBA and he loves being a role model and a true ambassador for the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee.

"This has been incredibly difficult for him, but he will accept this penalty with grace and turn this into a great opportunity to improve and further build his reputation and performance in every way, both on and off the court."

Portis, considered one of