On Saturday, the NBA issued a 25-game suspension to Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George for violating the league’s Anti-Drug Program. George has appeared in just 27 games this season, and the suspension means he will not be eligible to return until the 76ers host the Chicago Bulls on March 25.
Philadelphia had only recently begun to benefit from George’s presence, but the suspension quickly placed him under unwanted scrutiny. Because of the suspension, George was unavailable for Saturday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Despite his absence, the 76ers secured a 124-114 victory. Following the win, head coach Nick Nurse addressed George’s situation and expressed support during his postgame press conference.
“He’s still a part of the team,” Nurse said. “He can’t play in the games, but he’s still allowed at the facility and practice and all that stuff. We need to make sure those things continue to happen and get him back. We’re here to help him, the organization is, in any way possible, and try to get past it as soon as we can, but get through it the best way we can and then go from there.”
Teammate Joel Embiid also shared his honest take on George’s suspension.
“I know people have mixed feelings about what he brings to the table, but you can’t replace it,” Embiid said.
The suspension is expected to sideline George for nearly the entire stretch of the 76ers’ playoff push. Prior to being suspended, he was averaging 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Paul George Issues Statement Following His Suspension
Paul George had already missed 20 games earlier this season due to injury. Hence, the suspension comes with another significant setback. In a statement released after the ban, George explained that the positive test resulted from taking an improper medication while he was seeking treatment for a mental health issue.
“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.
“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.”
Beyond the on-court impact, the suspension also carries major financial consequences. George is expected to lose approximately $11.7 million in salary during the suspension period.
