The NBA has initiated an investigation into Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter following suspicions surrounding unusual betting activity on his performance during various games this season, as confirmed by a league spokesperson on Monday. “We’re currently investigating the matter,” stated the NBA spokesperson. Trusted NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski is also covering the story, saying Porter has been pulled out of the lineup as a subject of said investigation.
Reports allege that unidentified individuals placed significant bets on specific aspects of Porter’s gameplay, including points scored, rebounds, assists, and three-pointers. This was during the Raptors’ matches against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 26 and the Sacramento Kings on March 20, according to ESPN.
Bets Payouts On Porter Were a Red Flag for the NBA
During both games, Porter saw limited playing time due to early exits caused by minor injuries. Following each game, DraftKings reportedly highlighted bets on Porter as among the most lucrative for NBA bettors that night. Bettors who wagered that Porter’s performance would fall below the established betting lines emerged as winners on both occasions.
Against the Clippers, Porter only played for four minutes before exiting due to an eye injury, recording zero points, three rebounds, and one assist. Similarly, in the game against the Kings, he played for just three minutes before leaving the court due to illness, ending with no points, two rebounds, and no assists.
Porter, 24, hasn’t participated in any games for the Raptors since their defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder last Friday. Porter missed the Raptors’ loss against the Washington Wizards on Saturday due to “personal reasons”. He also missed their game against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. Sources indicate that he will remain away from the team pending the NBA’s investigation.
Despite being the younger brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., Porter went undrafted in 2019. He briefly played for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2020-21 season, and spent multiple seasons in the G League before signing a two-way contract with the Raptors in December.
With Toronto currently sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference at 23-48, they are on the brink of being eliminated from contention for the play-in tournament. The Raptors opted not to provide a comment regarding the NBA’s investigation.
The NBA Strictly Prohibits Players Betting on NBA Games
League regulations strictly prohibit all employees, including players, coaches, and referees, from gambling on NBA games. Violators of this policy face fines, suspensions, and potential contract termination. Just this month, the NBA fined Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert $100,000 for suggesting that the league’s referees were influenced by gamblers.
Throughout Commissioner Adam Silver’s tenure, the NBA has actively supported the expansion of legalized sports betting and fostered business collaborations with gambling enterprises. Remarkably, despite these endeavors, the league has successfully sidestepped significant gambling scandals since the notorious case involving referee Tim Donaghy. Donaghy pleaded guilty to federal charges after admitting to betting on games he officiated during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.
In 26 games this season, Porter has averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
