Paul George Suspended 25 Games by NBA, 76ers Star Issues Statement on Anti-Drug Violation

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has been suspended 25 games by the NBA.

According to a statement from the league, George's suspension stems from a violation of the NBA/NBPA anti-drug program.

In a statement to ESPN's Shams Charania, George explained he mistakenly took an "improper medication."

A 25-game suspension that begins with the Sixers' game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night would run through March 23.

George will be eligible to return for the 76ers' home game against the Chicago Bulls on March 25. The suspension will mark his longest streak of consecutive games missed since the 2021-22 season when he suffered a torn UCL that kept him out for 43 games.

It's unclear if losing George for 25 games will alter Philadelphia's plans at the trade deadline.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst reported on Friday that the feeling around the league was that the Sixers weren't looking to do anything significant.

Since signing a four-year, $211.6 million contract with the 76ers as a free agent in the summer of 2024, George has only played in 68 games. He is averaging 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in 27 starts this season.

Thanks to the continued ascent of Tyrese Maxey as a lead scoring option, a return to form for Joel Embiid and the emergence of rookie VJ Edgecombe, the Sixers look like a playoff contender in the East.

Philadelphia enters Saturday with a 26-21 record, sixth in the Eastern Conference.