Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has been suspended for 25 games without pay for violating the NBA's anti-drug program, the league announced on Saturday. The specific substance or nature of the violation was not disclosed.
George issued a statement to ESPN acknowledging the mistake, saying he took an 'improper medication' while seeking treatment for a personal issue. 'Over the past few years, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication,' George said. He apologised to the team and fans, adding that he takes full responsibility.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, a 25-game ban indicates a first violation. George began serving the suspension immediately on Saturday when the 76ers hosted the New Orleans Pelicans. The suspension will cost the nine-time All-Star approximately $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary, or about $470,000 per game. Part of the forfeited money will count as a tax credit, leaving Philadelphia about $1.3 million over the luxury-tax line.
George is expected to be eligible to return on 25 March when the 76ers host the Chicago Bulls, with around 10 regular-season games remaining. Philadelphia entered Saturday with a 26-21 record, sixth in the Eastern Conference, and are 16-11 when George plays compared with 10-10 in his absence. He has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season, third on the team behind Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
The 35-year-old signed a four-year, $212 million contract in free agency before the 2024-25 season, but his first year in Philadelphia was disrupted by knee and adductor injuries, resulting in one of the least productive seasons of his career. He averaged 16.2 points in 41 games, his lowest full-season scoring mark since his second year in the league. George underwent surgery on his left knee in July after a workout injury and missed the first 12 games of the current season.
With the 5 February trade deadline approaching, George's suspension could influence Philadelphia's plans as they weigh their postseason push. The 76ers have remained in the playoff mix with Joel Embiid fit and Tyrese Maxey emerging as an All-Star starter, while rookie VJ Edgecombe has provided further optimism.
