Sources: NBA eyes Raptors’ Jontay Porter for betting issues

Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter is under investigation by the NBA following multiple instances of betting irregularities over the past several months, multiple sources told ESPN on Monday.

At issue are prop bets involving Porter from games on Jan. 26 and March 20, multiple sources told ESPN. An NBA spokesman told ESPN that the league is «looking into it.»

In the game on Jan. 26 against the LA Clippers, there was increased betting interest on the under for Porter props, which for the night were set at around 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. There was also an over/under for Porter’s made 3-pointers, which was 0.5.

That night, Porter played just four minutes before leaving the game because of what the Raptors said was a re-aggravation of an eye injury he’d suffered four days earlier in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He did not score against the Clippers, had three rebounds and one assist, and did not attempt a 3, meaning the under hit on all of the props.

The next day, as part of a daily report to users on betting results, DraftKings Sportsbook reported that the under on Porter’s 3-pointers was the biggest money winner for bettors of any NBA player props from games that evening.

Porter played 19 minutes two days later and scored 12 points with seven rebounds and three assists.

On March 20, in a game against the Sacramento Kings, Porter played just three minutes before leaving the game because of what the Raptors said was an illness and did not return. He did not score, attempted and missed one shot, and had two rebounds.

Sportsbooks had his over/unders set at around 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.

The next day, DraftKings SportsBooks reported to its users that Porter’s prop bets were the No. 1 moneymaker from the night in the NBA.

Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., is on a two-way contract with the Raptors earning $415,000 this season.

He missed the Raptors’ game Saturday against the Washington Wizards for personal reasons, according to the team. He is listed as out for Monday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets for personal reasons.

NBA players, alongside all league employees, are prohibited from betting on any league events, including prop bets. Violations of the policy could include fines, suspensions and possible termination of contracts, among other actions.

Sports betting is monitored by dedicated personnel from each NBA team, and the league has a team of data scientists focused on sports betting anomalies and possible integrity issues and also works with third-party integrity monitors.

Porter made his NBA debut in 2021, playing 11 games with the Grizzlies. In college at the University of Missouri, he tore his ACL before his sophomore season and re-tore it and his MCL while rehabbing in early 2019. He went undrafted and didn’t play in the NBA the past two seasons, but signed with the Raptors in December.

Porter has played in 26 games, averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 14 minutes a game.