NBA’s Adam Silver Says Jontay Porter Could Get Biggest of Punishments for Committing ‘Cardinal Sin’

Karl Rasmussen | Apr 10, 2024

Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter celebrates a made basket. / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the league's ongoing investigation into potential violations of the league's betting policy by Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter on Wednesday.

Silver made clear that what Porter stands accused of is a "cardinal sin" and indicated that if found guilty, he could potentially face banishment from the NBA.

"There is nothing more serious, I think, around this league when it comes to gambling and betting on our games and that is a direct player involvement," Silver said, via Marc Stein. "So the investigation is ongoing but the consequences could be very severe."

The league is investigating prop bets from a pair of Raptors games dating back to Jan. 26 and March 20. On the dates in question, bettors placed wagers on the under for various props involving Porter's points, rebounds, assists, and three-pointers made.

In the Jan. 26 game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Porter played four minutes before exiting after aggravating an eye injury he'd sustained a few days earlier. All of the under wagers on his props were successful, and the following day DraftKings Sportsbook announced that Porter's under 0.5 three-pointers prop yielded the biggest payout among any NBA player that day.

On March 20 against the Sacramento Kings, Porter logged three minutes before checking out due to an illness. He did not return to the game. The next day, DraftKings Sportsbook reported Porter prop bets were the most profitable of the day yet again.

The league launched its investigation into the betting irregularities surrounding the 24-year-old in late March.

Porter, the younger brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., has appeared in 26 games this season. He's averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists while logging 13.8 minutes per game. He last featured in a game on March 22. Porter is on a two-way contract with the Raptors, earning $455,000 this year.