Philadelphia 76ers Star Paul George Suspended 25 Games For Violating NBA’s Anti-Drug Policy
Just when the Philadelphia 76ers seemed to be finding a rhythm, going 16-11 with their star wing on the floor, the NBA dropped a bombshell on Saturday that landed with a thud louder than a bricked free throw. Paul George has been hit with a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s Anti-Drug Program.
If you’re doing the math at home, that’s a significant chunk of the calendar. George isn’t eligible to lace them up again until March 25 against the Chicago Bulls. By then, the regular season will be in its final sprint with only 10 games remaining.
The Sticker Shock
This isn’t just a blow to the rotation; it is a hit to the wallet that would make even a hedge fund manager wince. The suspension is going to cost George roughly $11.7 million in salary. That breaks down to about $469,691.72 per game.
While the league didn’t disclose the specific substance or nature of the violation, the 25-game length is the standard penalty for a first violation under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. It’s a strict policy, and unfortunately for the 76ers, it’s one with zero wiggle room.
George Owns the Mistake
To his credit, PG13 didn’t hide behind a generic PR statement. He addressed the issue head-on, offering a glimpse into the human side of professional sports that we often overlook.
“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 told ESPN.
He continued, “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.”
It is a reminder that athletes are navigating real-life hurdles just like the rest of us.
What This Means For the Process (Part Infinity)
The timing is, to put it mildly, less than ideal. George had just dropped a 32-point masterpiece against the Bucks earlier this week, hitting nine 3-pointers and looking every bit the missing piece Philadelphia needed. He was averaging 16 points a game—third on the team behind the dynamic duo of Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
Now, the burden falls squarely back on Maxey and Embiid to keep the ship afloat. With the Sixers sitting sixth in the East at 26-21, they are teetering on the edge of the play-in tournament. Losing a guy who contributes heavily to winning is a stress test Head Coach Nick Nurse probably wasn’t hoping to take this February.
The Sixers have survived chaos before—it’s practically the franchise’s brand identity at this point. But navigating the next two months without their marquee offseason acquisition is going to require some serious grit.
