Philadelphia 76ers Star Paul George Suspended 25 Games For Anti-Drug Policy Violation
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has been suspended without pay for 25 games after violating the terms of the NBA and NBPA Anti-Drug Program. The league officially announced the penalty on Saturday, stating that the suspension begins immediately with the team’s scheduled game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The suspension will result in a financial loss of approximately $11.7 million of George’s $51.7 million salary for the 2025-26 season. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, a 25-game ban typically indicates a first violation of the policy. George is projected to be eligible to return on March 25 when the 76ers host the Chicago Bulls, which would leave him available for only the final 10 games of the regular season.
George addressed the situation in a statement released shortly after the announcement, attributing the violation to an error regarding medication he took for personal health reasons. “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 stated. “I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to the Sixers organization, my teammates, and the Philly fans for my poor decision-making during this process.”
The 35-year-old All-Star joined Philadelphia in the 2024 offseason on a four-year, $212 million maximum contract. His first season with the franchise has been disrupted by knee and adductor injuries, limiting his participation to 27 games. Despite his absence, the 76ers currently hold a 26-21 record, placing them sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. Statistics show the team performs significantly better with him in the lineup, holding a 16-11 record when he plays compared to 10-10 without him.
This suspension places a heavier burden on teammates Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey as the franchise attempts to secure a playoff spot without falling into the play-in tournament. The NBA has not disclosed the specific substance that triggered the violation. George emphasized in his remarks that he intends to use the time away to ensure his mind and body are in optimal condition for his return in late March.
phillyvoice.com
nba.com
aljazeera.com
cbsnews.com
nbcsports.com
news4jax.com
yahoo.com
sportsnet.ca
theguardian.com
hoopsrumors.com
rdnewsnow.com
