Milwaukee Bucks fans are anxiously awaiting the news about two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is dealing with a strained left calf as he prepares to face the league's bottom-dwelling team, the Washington Wizards, on the second night of a back-to-back. According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the nine-time All-Star is listed as probable for the game, which would mark his second appearance after missing six games due to injury.

Compounding the Bucks' injury concerns, key swingman Taurean Prince has been ruled out, joining Damian Lillard on the sidelines due to a right hamstring injury. Meanwhile, the Wizards are set to debut both Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart in the matchup. Bobby Portis's aspirations for Sixth Man of the Year were halted by a recent 25-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, while Malcolm Brogdon, another former Buck, is also out with injury.

The Milwaukee Bucks face a significant challenge as Bobby Portis has been suspended for 25 games due to violating the NBA's banned substance policy, claiming he ingested the substance unknowingly. This suspension removes one of their most vital bench players just as they are battling for playoff positioning, currently sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference. They trail the fourth-place Pacers, which is crucial for securing home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Head coach Doc Rivers now must rethink the team’s rotation to accommodate Portis' absence. Although the timing of the suspension is unfortunate, it is better than facing this setback during the playoffs. The Bucks are hopeful that they can still contend for the NBA title, especially with the recent addition of Kyle Kuzma, who will need to step up in Portis' absence. Maintaining player health remains a top priority as they gear up for the postseason.

The NBA's return from the All-Star break brings significant fantasy implications, particularly with Victor Wembanyama sidelined for the season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. Bobby Portis is also suspended for 25 games, creating availability challenges for fantasy managers in Week 17. Notably, low-rostered players such as Jeremy Sochan, Payton Pritchard, and Santi Aldama are highlighted as top priority adds ahead of the upcoming week.

Pritchard has shown consistency for the Boston Celtics, recently scoring 28 points in a game against the 76ers, while Aldama has been a reliable contributor for the Memphis Grizzlies. Sochan, stepping up in his role, demonstrated potential with solid stats following Wembanyama's injury. Other players like Max Christie and Stephon Castle are also emerging as valuable pickups with their recent performances.

The NBA has suspended Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. for 25 games without pay due to a positive test for Tramadol, a painkiller prohibited under league policies. Portis claims he used an NBA-approved medication for an elbow injury but mistakenly took Tramadol instead of the permitted Toradol. His suspension began during the Bucks' recent victory over the Los Angeles Clippers and will keep him from playing until April 8, potentially impacting the Bucks' playoff ambitions.

Portis expressed regret for the situation, acknowledging his responsibility for the substances he consumes. Despite the setback, he aims to return ready for the playoffs. The Bucks' coach, Doc Rivers, criticized the harshness of the penalty, arguing that the circumstances warrant a more lenient response. This season has already been challenging for Portis, who recently dealt with the loss of his grandmother.

The LA Clippers emerged from the All-Star break riding a wave of momentum, boasting a three-game winning streak and sitting just 1.5 games shy of the 5th seed in the playoffs. However, their hopes were dashed in a disheartening fourth-quarter collapse against the Milwaukee Bucks, where they were outscored 36-17 despite Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence from the game. Kawhi Leonard noted that the rhythm shifted due to fouls on three-pointers, allowing Milwaukee to capitalize on a defensive lapse. The defeat leaves the Clippers facing a challenging eight-game road trip with their upcoming matchup against the Indiana Pacers looming large.