Tim BontempsJan 31, 2026, 11:58 AM ET
CloseTim Bontemps is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com who covers the league and what’s impacting it on and off the court, including trade deadline intel, expansion and his MVP Straw Polls. You can find Tim alongside Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective podcast.
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Paul George was suspended 25 games without pay for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, the league announced Saturday.
In a statement to ESPN’s Shams Charania, George said, “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 to the Sixers organization, my teammates and the Philly fans for my poor decision-making during this process.
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“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.”
George’s suspension began with Saturday night’s game in Philadelphia against the New Orleans Pelicans. When he is eligible to return — March 25 at home against the Chicago Bulls — the 76ers will have 10 regular-season games remaining.
The suspension will cost George roughly $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary, or about $469,691.72 for each of the 25 games missed.
Before Saturday’s game, Sixers coach Nick Nurse declined to discuss details of his conversation with George after the suspension was announced. Nurse said he hadn’t noticed personal issues with George.
“I think he’s been fine,” Nurse said. “Really fun to coach. Really good teammate. His teammates really like him. Showing some great leadership.”
George, 35, is averaging 16 points while shooting 38.2% from 3-point range in 27 games this season. He has been part of a resurgent Philadelphia squad that has bounced back from last season’s injury-filled campaign to sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference entering Saturday.
George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have been on the court together for 365 minutes in 17 games this season, outscoring opponents by over seven points per 100 possessions.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks reports that Philadelphia will save more than $5 million in luxury tax payments as part of George’s suspension, leaving the team a little over $1 million over the threshold and making it easier for the 76ers to dip out of the tax this week without harming the roster.
After Thursday’s win over the Sacramento Kings, Embiid told reporters, “Obviously, we’ve been ducking the tax the last couple of years, so hopefully, we keep the same team. I love all the guys that are here. I think we got a shot.
“I don’t know what they’re going to do, but I hope that at least we got a chance to just go out and compete because we got a good group of guys in this locker room, and vibes are great.”
The 76ers (26-21) are 16-11 when George plays and 10-10 when he does not this season.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.