Mar 3, 2025NBA player suspended 25 games after confusing Tramadol for Toradol
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis was hit with a 25-game suspension after testing positive for Tramadol. Portis, however, claims he was mistakenly given the drug banned by the NBA after being told it was the strong pain-relieving drug Toradol.
The mix-up has proven to be a costly mistake for the NBA veteran, who faces losing nearly $3 million during the suspension. He has averaged 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in 46 games for Milwaukee this season.
A recent story from CoachesDatabase.com detailed Portis’s suspension while explaining his medication mix-up. Below is an excerpt from the CoachesDatabase.com story.
The accidental medication mix-up involving Tramadol arose when Portis took Tramadol instead of Toradol, an approved pain medication. Portis suffered from elbow injuries, so he took Toradol medication, expecting it would reduce his pain. A volleyball team assistant accidentally gave Tramadol to the player while intending to give Toradol.
The NBA maintained its rigid anti-drug guidelines when Portis became subjected to severe consequences after his honest medication mistake. The way the league deals with unintentional substance ingestion creates worries regarding its determination to enforce strict drug regulations.
After the incident, Bobby Portis completely accepted accountability, apologizing for what occurred while showing deep remorse. A public statement by Portis featured his remorseful words directed toward the Bucks staff, his teammates and coaches, the members of his family, and his fan base.
Public discussions about NBA drug policies have arisen while debating the appropriate punishments for accidental violations. Bucks coach Doc Rivers, along with other team members, believes the team received an overly severe punishment for these events.
Rivers argued for using practical judgment while paying attention to human mistakes in these situations. Professional athletes must be careful with their medication management since Portis’ experience demonstrates the need to be watchful and exact.
Any violation of the existing regulations carries major consequences regardless of whether the infraction was intended or accidental. The ongoing discussion indicates that the league might review its approach to handling similar cases in the future.
To read the full story from CoachesDatabase.com, click here.
