The National Basketball Association (NBA) has initiated an investigation into Jontay Porter, (pictured above), a two-way player for the Toronto Raptors, following allegations of gambling. The news reached Raptors’ coach Darko Rajaković just before a game last week.

The NBA confirmed the commencement of the investigation, which was first reported by ESPN. The investigation focuses on Porter’s performance in two games that took place on 26 January and 20 March. In both instances, Porter left the game early, citing either injury or illness. In the first game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Porter played for under five minutes. In the second game against Sacramento, he played for nearly three minutes Coach Rajaković expressed his trust in his players, stating, “I never doubt injuries. I never doubt honesty from players.”

Interestingly, in both games, Porter’s performance did not meet the prop-wager lines for points, rebounds, and 3-pointers. For the Clippers game, the props were 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. Porter ended the game with no points, three rebounds, and one assist. For the Kings game, the props were around 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Porter finished with no points and two rebounds.

Absences and betting irregularities

Porter was absent from the Raptors’ home game against Brooklyn last week, and the team cited personal reasons. He was also absent for Saturday’s loss at Washington, again for personal reasons. His locker was empty before Monday’s game against the Nets, but his nameplate remained. Coach Rajaković had not discussed the matter with his team. In Las Vegas, Jay Kornegay, Westgate vice president of race and sports operations, received “alerts that there were betting irregularities” regarding those games. However, his casino did not have any player props up involving Porter for the dates in question. Porter, 24, the brother of Denver forward Michael Porter, averages 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3ssists in 26 games, including five starts. The 6-foot-10 Porter also played in 11 games for Memphis in the 2020-21 season. The NBA mandates that players attend one “anti-gambling training session conducted by their Team and/or the NBA” each year. Several G League players have been suspended for violating gambling policies this season, and in 2022, six NBA 2K League players were disqualified for breaking the 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 Commissioner Adam Silver, ranging from a fine to “perpetual disqualification.”