The NBA has opened an investigation into Toronto two-way player Jontay Porter over gambling allegations. Raptors coach Darko Rajaković says he heard the news Monday night shortly before the team’s game. ESPN first reported this the investigation, which reportedly focused on Porter’s performance in games on January 26 and March 20. In both games, Porter played briefly before leaving due to injury or illness. Porter was not with the team on Monday and the Raptors said it was for personal reasons.
“I never doubt injuries. I never doubt players honestly,” 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. Ahead of the match, there was increased interest in betting on the under for Porter’s props. He played four minutes before leaving because Porter aggravated an eye injury on Jan. 22, according to the team.
Porter’s final numbers from the Jan. 26 game: no points, three rebounds and one assist, hitting the lower end in all of his prop markets. DraftKings reported the next day that Porter’s three-pointers “under” bet was the biggest crowd gainer among all NBA props that night.
ESPN reports that multiple betting accounts attempted to place bets of approximately $10,000 and $20,000 on Porter Unders in the game against the Clippers
In the March 20 game in question, against the Sacramento Kings, Porter left again – this time after just three minutes – due to what the team believed 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 underbets were the biggest money earners of the night 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 provided by their team and/or the NBA” each year. At least four G League players have been suspended, with penalties ranging from three to five games, for violating gambling policies this season. In 2022, six NBA 2K League players were disqualified for violating that league’s gambling-related rules.
Under NBA rules, any player who “bets money or anything of value on any game or event in the Association or in the NBA G League” may face sanctions from the league 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 that he received threats from gamblers last season and reported it to the NBA. “They had my phone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live, my kids and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff said. “So it’s a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re definitely walking.”
Bickerstaff was asked the question after All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers indicated days earlier that he was tired of hearing regular criticism from people on social media about their prop bets.
Raptors forward Jordan Nwora made a similar assessment Monday, saying he and other players routinely hear how their on-court performances affect bettors.
“Always. Non-stop,” Nwora said in a commentary published by The Canadian Press. “You get messages. You hear it on the sidelines. You see guys talking about it all the time. It is what it is. It’s part of the fact that you’re in the NBA. People bet on crazy things every day. So I mean, it’s part of being in the NBA, it’s what comes with it. I understand.”