Report: Toronto Raptors' Jontay Porter under investigation by NBA over betting irregularities

Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter is under NBA investigation involving “betting irregularities” over the past several months, ESPN reported Monday. The issue is prop bets placed on Porter from Jan. 26 to March 20.

Beginning in a Jan. 26 matchup against the LA Clippers, there was an increased amount of bets on the under for Porter’s props, which were set at 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 3-pointers.

Porter played only four minutes that night before leaving the game with a reaggravation of an eye injury he suffered four days earlier against the Grizzlies. He hit the under on all of his props.

DraftKings reported that the under on Porter’s 3-pointer prop was the biggest winner from any game that day. Porter returned to the lineup two days later and played 19 minutes, recording 12 points and seven rebounds.

On another game in question on March 20 vs. the Phoenix Suns, Porter entered the contest with over/unders set at 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. He played three minutes before leaving the game with an illness and never returning. Once again, the under on Porter’s props were the No. 1 winner the next day according to DraftKings.

Porter missed Toronto’s game on Saturday against the Washington Wizards for what the team described as “personal reasons.” He is also listed out for Monday against the Brooklyn Nets.

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. It’s not clear at this point whether Porter placed any bets himself.

The younger brother of Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., Jontay Porter entered the NBA in 2019 as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri. He later signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, appearing in 11 games as a rookie to average 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

Johntay Porter spent time in the G-League over the next couple of seasons before returning to the NBA this season with the Raptors. He is currently on a two-way contract earning $415,000 this season.

The 6-foot-11, 240 pound big man has appeared in 26 games with five starts during the 2023-24 season. He is averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 13.8 minutes per game.

We’ll have to wait and see what the outcome of the NBA investigation is into the allegations of betting irregularities against Jontay Porter. Until then, expect him to remain out of games moving forward.