Report: Raptors' Jontay Porter Subject of NBA Gambling Investigation; Out vs. Nets
March 25, 2024
Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter reportedly has been removed from the lineup for Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets after being named the subject of a gambling investigation by the NBA.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, David Purdum and Brian Windhorst, the league is looking into "irregularities on prop betting involving" Porter in recent months.
Multiple sources told ESPN that the league flagged prop bets involving Porter from games on Jan. 26 and March 20. Porter has appeared in 26 games with five starts this season and is averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 13.8 minutes of action.
Wojnarowski provided more details on the betting irregularities:
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespnBetting limits on NBA player props vary by sportsbook and customer, but are typically around $1,000 to $2,000. "People were trying to do whatever they could to bet Jontay Porter props [against the Clippers]," the source said. "And then, just a few days ago, the same thing. We had…
The NBA released a short statement about the situation Monday:
In Toronto's game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 26, there was reportedly "increased betting interest on the under for Porter props," which were set at 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. There was also an over/under set at 0.5 for Porter's made three-pointers.
Porter ended up playing just four minutes in that game before being removed for what the Raptors said was a re-aggravation of an eye injury he suffered four days earlier, so the under hit on each prop bet. DraftKings Sportsbook reported the following day that the under on Porter's three-pointers was the biggest money winner of any NBA player prop from games that night.
Porter's prop bets were once again the No. 1 moneymaker on the night of March 20 when he played just three minutes before exiting with what the team called an illness. His over/unders were set at around 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds, and he didn't score and pulled down just two rebounds.
DraftKings released a statement on the situation:
Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., signed a two-way contract with the Raptors in December. He missed Saturday's game against the Washington Wizards due to "personal reasons," the team said. He was listed as out with the same designation for Monday's game against the Nets.
NBA players and all other league employees are prohibited from participating in any form of gambling on league events. Punishments for violations of the league's gambling policy include fines, suspensions and potential contract terminations, among other possible consequences.