PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers has been suspended 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA’s anti-drug program, the league announced Saturday.
The NBA did not disclose the nature of the violation or the substance involved, and George released a statement to ESPN saying he took something that was “inappropriate.”
“Over the past few years I have spoken about the importance of mental health, and when I recently sought treatment for a problem I had myself, I made the mistake of taking the wrong medicine,” George said in the statement released to the network.
He apologized to the team and its fans and said he takes “full responsibility for my actions.”
The 25-game suspension, per the terms of the agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, indicates that this was a first violation by George. He will serve the suspension Saturday when Philadelphia hosts New Orleans.
The suspension will cost George – a nine-time All-Star – about $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary, or about $469,691.72 for each of the 25 games missed. Some of that forfeited money will turn into a credit and bring Philadelphia closer to escaping the luxury tax; the 76ers would be about $1.3 million above that mark if we take into account the money George isn’t getting.
George is expected to be eligible to return on March 25 when Philadelphia hosts Chicago. The 76ers then have ten games left in the regular season.
Philadelphia entered sixth in the Eastern Conference at 26-21 on Saturday. The 76ers are 16-11 when George plays, and 10-10 when he doesn’t.
Before Saturday’s game, Sixers coach Nick Nurse declined to discuss details of the conversation he had with George after the suspension was announced. The nurse said he had not noticed any personal issues with George, even though mental health issues were raised in the statement.
“I think he’s doing well,” the nurse said. “Really fun to coach. Really a good teammate. His teammates really like him. He shows great leadership.”
George averaged 16 points in 27 games for the Sixers this season, averaging third on the team behind Tyrese Maxey (29.4) and Joel Embiid (25.7). He had one of his best games of the season earlier this week, a 32-point outburst fueled by nine 3-pointers in a win over Milwaukee on Tuesday.
35 year old George signed one $212 million, four-year contract in free agency ahead of the 2024 season. But his first year in Philly was marred by knee and adductor injuries, leaving the forward with one of the worst years of his NBA career.
George averaged 16.2 points in just 41 games, easily his lowest scoring average in a full season since he averaged 12.1 points for Indiana in his second NBA season.
“I think there were a lot of circumstances that were really unfortunate,” Nurse said. “I also feel like he’s played pretty well this year. Borderline very good, considering he’s played such a crucial role for us. Kind of like a really good role player on this particular team. I think he’s done what we need him to do.”
Last season was so miserable that George called his first year in Philly a “low point” over the course of his career.
It’s certainly not better now.
“Like all our players, dealing with things like this, you care about them,” Nurse said. “We have to help him. The organization is possible in every way possible. And try to get past it as quickly as possible, get through it as best as possible, and go from there.”
George underwent surgery on his left knee in July after suffering an injury during training and missing the first 12 games of the season.
George and two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid were healthy enough this season to keep the Sixers in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Maxey blossomed into an All-Star starter and a strong rookie season from No. 3 overall draft pick VJ Edgecombe left the Sixers hoping they could make some noise in the playoffs.
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaching, George’s suspension could have a major impact on what the Sixers do as they make a playoff push.
The 76ers will meet the deadline as they embark on a five-game road trip up the West Coast that begins Monday at the Los Angeles Clippers.
“You’re going to get punched in the stomach, but listen, I have to take charge here,” the nurse said. “We have to fight and get going.”
Reynolds reported from Miami.
