Report: 76ers’ Paul George suspended 25 games for violating NBA anti-drug policy

The NBA suspended Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George for violating the league’s anti-drug policy, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. He’ll be suspended for 25 games.

“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 in a statement to ESPN. “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. “I am focused on using this time to make sure that my mind and body are in the best condition to help the team when I return.”

George has played in 27 of 47 games this season for the Sixers (26-21). Philadelphia is currently No. 6 in the Eastern Conference and winners of two straight. The 35-year-old George was in the middle of his second season with the 76ers.

This year, George averaged 16 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game and shot 42.4% from the floor and 38.2% from three-point range. In a year with a resurgent and healthy, to this point, Joel Embiid, George will be missed from the Philadelphia lineup.

By the time George returns, the NBA playoff picture will be nearly set and the Sixers will be at 72 games on the season. At this point, Philadelphia trails the second place New York Knicks by 3.5 games, so a lot can change from now til April.

Led by star guards Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia could be dangerous down the stretch. Not only that, second-year man Jared McCain is starting to find his groove again in recent games. McCain, a former Duke star, was in the NBA Rookie of the Year conversation before a season-ending injury sidelined him after only 23 games last year.

Now without George, the Sixers will try to make up ground in the Eastern Conference. Amid a lot of injuries last season, Philadelphia finished 24-58 in 2024-25, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017.