The Philadelphia 76ers’ turbulent season took another sharp turn this week after the NBA announced a 25-game suspension for veteran forward Paul George due to a violation of the league’s anti-drug policy.
The league did not specify the substance involved, but George addressed the situation in a statement released to ESPN, acknowledging that 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.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to my teammates, the organization, and the fans.”
What the Suspension Means
Under the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, a 25-game ban signals a first offense. George began serving the suspension Saturday as the Sixers hosted the New Orleans Pelicans.
Financially, the punishment is significant. George will forfeit approximately $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary, losing about $469,692 per game. Some of that lost salary will be credited back to Philadelphia’s cap situation, pushing the Sixers closer to dropping below the luxury tax threshold. After factoring in the savings, the team would sit roughly $1.3 million over the tax line.
George is eligible to return on March 25, when Philadelphia faces the Chicago Bulls. At that point, the Sixers will have just 10 regular-season games remaining.
On-Court Impact for the Sixers
Philadelphia entered the weekend with a 26–21 record, good for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The team has clearly felt George’s presence—or absence—this season:
- 16–11 record when George plays
- 10–10 record when he does not
George has averaged 16 points per game in 27 appearances, ranking third on the team behind Tyrese Maxey (29.4) and Joel Embiid (25.7). Despite an inconsistent year, he showed flashes of his old self earlier this week, pouring in 32 points on nine three-pointers in a win over Milwaukee.
A Difficult First Year in Philadelphia
At 35 years old, George is in the first season of a massive four-year, $212 million contract signed during the 2024 free agency period. However, his debut campaign in Philadelphia has been anything but smooth.
Injuries to his knee and adductor limited him to 41 games, resulting in one of the least productive seasons of his career. He averaged 16.2 points, his lowest scoring output in a full season since his second year in the league with Indiana.
George himself labeled the season “rock bottom,” a sobering assessment for a nine-time All-Star accustomed to being a franchise cornerstone.
The struggles began even before opening night. George underwent left knee surgery in July after suffering an injury during a workout, forcing him to miss the first 12 games of the current season.
Playoff Hopes Now in Question
When healthy, George and Embiid had helped keep Philadelphia firmly in the playoff picture. Maxey’s emergence as an All-Star starter, along with a promising rookie season from No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe, had given the Sixers legitimate hope of making noise in the postseason.
Now, with the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaching, George’s suspension adds a new layer of uncertainty. His absence could heavily influence Philadelphia’s front-office decisions as the team weighs whether to push forward, stand pat, or make aggressive moves to stay competitive.
For Paul George, the suspension marks yet another setback in a chapter of his career that has already tested his resilience. For the Sixers, it may be the defining moment of their season.
