Milwaukee Bucks fan favorite Bobby Portis Jr. last appeared in a game on Feb. 12.
It’s been two long months for Portis as he’s awaited a return to the court while serving a 25-game suspension without pay after testing positive for the painkiller Tramadol, a violation of the NBA’s anti-drug program.
But the wait is over, with Portis set to return to the Bucks lineup on Tuesday when Milwaukee takes on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Fiserv Forum. It’s a good bet that chants of “Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!” will echo through the arena when Portis, who is popular among fans and teammates alike for his hustle and aggressive play, takes the court as expected.
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Portis’ return comes in the nick of time, with the Bucks having just four regular-season games remaining before the playoffs. The Bucks currently hold down the fifth-seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks recorded a 15-10 record with Portis serving out his suspension. His return gives the Bucks a much-needed boost with star guard Damian Lillard’s health status up in the air. Lillard, the team’s second-leading scorer behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, last played on March 18 after developing deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.
The 30-year-old Portis, who is in his fifth season with the Bucks, said at the time the suspension was levied that he was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation.
“During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved,” Portis said in a statement released back on Feb. 20. “I feel horrible and recognize that I’m responsible for what I put in my body. From the bottom of my heart, I want to apologize to the Bucks organization, my teammates, coaches, family and fans. I give everything I have on the court and will terribly miss playing games for the Bucks during this time. I will continue to work hard and be ready for our long playoff run.”
Bucks General Manager Jon Horst described Portis at that time as “an integral part of who we are, a huge member of the Milwaukee community, and we look forward to his return.”
Portis is averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season.
Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr., speaking to reports after the Bucks win on Sunday over the New Orleans Pelicans, said he’s extremely excited about Portis’ return.
“It means everything, as a team, as a collective group. His energy. That spirit. As someone on that second unit, I miss him to death,” Trent said. “He made my job way easier, so him being back is going to be a beautiful thing and I can’t wait.”
It’s been a challenging season for Portis, who also had to deal with a highly publicized burglary of his home in River Hills.
In November, Portis took to social media to say that his home had been burglarized while the Bucks played a game at Fiserv Forum against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In February, seven men from Chile were charged in Florida federal court with burglarizing the homes of professional athletes across the country, including that of Portis.
The Bucks will enter Tuesday’s game, with Portis presumably back in the fold, on a four-game winning streak and a record of 44-34. The team recently secured its ninth consecutive playoff berth. The Bucks are looking for an extended run in the playoffs after stunning first-round series losses in each of the past two season. The Bucks won the NBA championship in 2021, marking the team’s first in 50 years and only second in franchise history.
Antetokounmpo, who has battled through injuries, earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for the March 31-April 6 period. This is Antetokounmpo’s third Player of the Week honor this season and the 26th of his career.
“The Greak Freak” appeared in three of the Bucks four games during the week while averaging 36 points, 13.7 assists, 12.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 63.8% from the field.
