Report: NBA investigating Raptors' Jontay Porter over several betting irregularities

The NBA is investigating Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter due to multiple instances of betting irregularities in recent months, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Porter was removed from the Raptors’ lineup ahead of their game against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. It’s unclear how long he will be sidelined. The NBA issued a brief statement later to ESPN on Monday night confirming that it was "looking into it."

According to the report, the league is investigating two specific games where there was increased betting interest on the under for several Porter prop bets.

The first game took place on Jan. 26, when the Raptors took on the Los Angeles Clippers. Porter played just four minutes in that game, and then left due to an eye injury he sustained days earlier. Porter finished with no points, three rebounds, one assist and did not attempt a 3-pointer — which allowed the under to hit on all four of those categories. The under on Porter’s 3-pointers was the biggest money winner for bettors on all NBA props that day through DraftKings Sportsbook, according to ESPN.

Then on March 20, when the Raptors played the Phoenix Suns, Porter played in just three minutes before he was ruled out due to an illness. He finished with no points, two rebounds and one missed shot. The under once again hit on all of those categories, and his prop bets were again the top moneymaker from the night on NBA games through DraftKings Sportsbook, per the report.

There were multiple betting accounts that tried to place large amounts — "upwards of $10,000 and $20,000" — on Porter unders in the first game in question, per Wojnarowski. While it depends on the sportsbook, player prop bets are typically limited to $2,000 max per bet.

Porter did not play in the Raptors’ game against the Washington Wizards on Saturday due to personal reasons. He was listed as out for Monday’s game against the Nets for the same thing.

NBA players and all league employees are not allowed to place bets on any NBA games — whether that’s on the game itself or prop bets of any kind.

Porter, who is the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., is in his first season with the Raptors. He’s on a two-way deal with the team, and he’s averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 26 games this season. He made his debut with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020, but did not play in the league the past two seasons.