The NBA has opened an investigation into Toronto two-way player Jontay Porter amid gambling allegations. Raptors coach Darko Rajaković says he learned of the news shortly before the team’s game on Monday night. ESPN first reported the investigation, which it said was focused on Porter’s performance in games on 26 January and 20 March. In both games, Porter played briefly before leaving citing injury or illness. Porter was not with the team on Monday and the Raptors said that was because of personal reasons.
“I never doubt injuries. I never doubt honestly from players,” Rajaković said. “Obviously, I’ve never had a situation like this before.”
In the first game against the Clippers, Sportsbooks had Porter’s props set at over/under 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 three-pointers. At the time, Porter had per game averages of 4.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.7 three-pointers. Prior to the game, there was a heightened level of betting interest on the under for Porter’s props. He played four minutes before leaving because, according to the team, Porter aggravated an eye injury sustained on 22 January.
Porter’s final numbers from the 26 January game: no points, three rebounds and one assist, therefore hitting the under on all of his prop markets. DraftKings reported the next day that Porter’s three-pointers “under” bet was the public’s biggest winner that night among all NBA props.
ESPN reports that multiple betting accounts attempted to place wagers of about $10,000 and $20,000 on Porter unders in the game against the Clippers
The 20 March game in question, against the Sacramento Kings, saw Porter again depart – this time after only three minutes – because of what the team said was an illness. Porter’s totals were set at 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. He took – and missed – one shot and had two rebounds.
The DraftKings day-after report said Porter’s under wagers were the night’s biggest money-earners for bettors.
Porter’s two-way contract with Toronto this season pays him $415,000.
The league requires players to attend one “anti-gambling training session conducted by their Team and/or the NBA” each year. At least four G League players have been suspended, those sanctions ranging from three to five games, for violating gambling policies this season and in 2022, six NBA 2K League players were disqualified for breaking that league’s gambling-related rules.
According to NBA rules, any player who “wagers money or anything of value on any game or event in the Association or in the NBA G League” can face sanctions from the league’s commissioner, Adam Silver, ranging from a fine to “perpetual disqualification”.
The NBA has had business relationships with gaming companies for years, and lists FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings as official gaming partners. The league also has relationships with at least 24 other gaming operators.
Last week, Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff revealed he received threats from gamblers last season and reported it to the NBA. “They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff said. “So it is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking for sure.”
Bickerstaff was asked the question after All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers indicated days earlier that he has grown tired of regularly hearing criticism from people on social media about their prop bets.
Raptors forward Jordan Nwora offered a similar assessment on Monday, saying he and other players routinely hear how their on-court performance impacts bettors.
“All the time. Non-stop,” Nwora said in comments published by The Canadian Press. “You get messages. You hear it on the sideline. You see guys talking about it all the time. It is what it is. It comes with being in the NBA. People bet on silly things on a daily basis. So, I mean, it’s part of being in the NBA, it’s what comes with it. I get it.”
