Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter's gambling probe could lead to him being kicked out of the league: NBA commissioner

Toronto's Jontay Porter could be kicked out of the league if gambling allegations are found to be true, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday.

Speaking after a two-day meeting of the league's Board of Governors, Silver did not provide specific details about the investigation into Porter, other than to say the investigation is ongoing. Porter has not played since the league said it was investigating betting patterns related to his performance on the field.

“I have a lot of discipline,” Silver said. “The fact that he is being accused in the NBA is a big sin. The last option I have is to remove him from the game. I have a reputation here, because there is nothing more important.”

ESPN first reported on the investigation surrounding Porter's performance in the January 26 and March 20 games. In both of those games, Porter played briefly before leaving citing injury or illness and didn't come close to the projected numbers. bettors as main bets on those races. That means those betting against Porter would have cashed in because he left those games before reaching the lines set by the sportsbooks for his points and rebounds in those contests.

Some sportsbooks said they were alerted to odd betting patterns surrounding Porter's props in those games, suggesting the league, which has business relationships with multiple betting companies, may have received some of that information.

Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter (34) and Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) in Denver, Monday, March 11, 2024. In the second half of an NBA basketball game. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“I mean, it's not new that there's unsavory behavior, even illegal behavior, around sports betting,” Silver said. “I think to the extent that it happens, if you have a regulated environment, you have a better chance of detecting it than if all the bets were placed illegally.”

Porter was placed on the team's roster for personal reasons for the 10th straight game against the Raptors in Brooklyn on Wednesday. The Raptors close out the season with games at Miami on Friday and Sunday. Porter's absence began at the same time as the NBA revealed it was investigating betting patterns surrounding his games.