Paul George's 76ers run hits another snag with failed drug test, suspension

Paul George suspension another hit to frustrating 76ers run

George started the past two games for the 76ers (26-21, sixth in Eastern Conference), both wins. He had one of his best games of the season on Jan. 27, finishing the 139-122 win over the Milwaukee Bucks (18-28, 12th in Eastern Conference) with 32 points and a season-high nine made threes. He followed that with a 15-point effort in Thursday's 113-111 home win over the Sacramento Kings (12-38, 15th in Western Conference).

The nine-time All-Star has played in 27 of 47 games this season, averaging 16 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 42.4 percent, including 38.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Availability has been a problem since George joined the Sixers. Last season, he appeared in only half of Philadelphia's games, with knee and groin injuries costing him the final 21 games of the year.

He missed this season's first 12 games after undergoing offseason knee surgery and has been held out for load management, as well as a finger injury, in the months since.

George hasn't provided the consistent scoring punch he did at his previous stops with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers, but he hasn't needed to this season for the Sixers to find success.

Point guard Tyrese Maxey has taken the next step in his development and is the team's undisputed leader, averaging 29.4 points while averaging an NBA-high 39.1 minutes per game. Rookie VJ Edgecombe has also had an excellent year, averaging 15.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

Center Joel Embiid, the 2022-23 league MVP, has also been red-hot of late after dealing with a left knee injury, averaging 28.9 points per game in January (13 games). He averaged 22.6 points per game in his first 14 games.

The Sixers are better suited to withstanding George's absence this season, but with 14 of their next 25 games on the road — including a five-game West Coast trip from Feb. 2-9 — being without their six-time All-NBA forward isn't without its pitfalls. But based on his spotty availability since arriving in Philly, the team's been practicing for this moment since George arrived.