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Paul George of Philadelphia 76ers gets a 25-game NBA suspension for anti-drug policy breach.
Paul George (AP Photo)
The NBA has handed Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George a 25-game suspension for breaching its anti-drug policy. While the league did not specify the substance involved, the length of the ban signalled a first-time violation under the collective bargaining agreement.
George addressed the situation in a statement to ESPNlinking the issue to treatment he sought for his mental health.
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. I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize… 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,” he said.
The suspension begins immediately and will cost the nine-time All-Star roughly $11.7 million in lost salary. He is eligible to return on March 25 against Chicago, with 10 regular-season games left.
Philadelphia, sixth in the Eastern Conference at 26–21, has clearly felt George’s impact: the Sixers are 16–11 with him in the lineup compared to 10–10 without. They did, however, defeat New Orleans on Saturday despite his absence.
Joel Embiid stressed that George’s absence leaves a major void, pointing to his defensive versatility, shot-making, and ability to contribute across multiple offensive roles. Head coach Nick Nurse echoed that sentiment, describing George as a strong teammate and leader, while avoiding specifics about their private discussions following the suspension.
‘Something fishy’
George, averaging 16 points per game this season, ranks third on the team behind Tyrese Maxey and Embiid. His first year in Philadelphia has been turbulent, marked by knee and adductor injuries after signing a four-year, $212 million deal. With the Feb. 5 trade deadline looming and a key starter sidelined, the suspension could significantly influence the Sixers’ strategy as they push for a playoff run.
The fans had only started to recover from the shock of the news when NBA great Charles Barkley opined that this wasn’t the whole story.
“There’s something fishy going on here,” Barkley said on Inside the NBA. “I don’t joke around about mental health. But if you’re taking something for mental health, that’s got to be an outlier to the NBA.”
February 01, 2026, 12:16 IST
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