Paul George has been suspended 25 games without pay for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, the league announced Saturday.
George said he made a mistake while seeking treatment for a personal 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.”
George’s suspension began with Saturday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Philadelphia. He will be eligible to return on March 25, when the 76ers host the Chicago Bulls. At that point, Philadelphia will have 10 regular-season games remaining.
The suspension will cost George approximately $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary, averaging about $469,692 per missed game.
Before Saturday’s game, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse declined to go into detail about his conversation with George following the announcement. Nurse said he had not noticed any personal issues affecting the veteran forward. “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 per game this season and is shooting 38.2% from three-point range across 27 appearances. He has been part of a resurgent Philadelphia team that has rebounded from last season’s injury-plagued campaign and entered Saturday ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference.
When George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey have shared the floor, the trio has logged 365 minutes together over 17 games and outscored opponents by more than seven points per 100 possessions.
, the suspension will save the 76ers more than $5 million in luxury tax payments. That reduction leaves Philadelphia just over $1 million above the tax threshold and makes it easier for the team to move below the line without making roster changes.
After Thursday’s win over the Sacramento Kings, Embiid expressed hope that the team could remain intact. “Obviously, we’ve been ducking the tax the last couple of years, so hopefully, we keep the same team,” Embiid said. “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 we at least get a chance to just go out and compete because we’ve got a good group of guys in this locker room, and the vibes are great.”
The 76ers are 26-21 this season, posting a 16-11 record when George plays and a 10-10 mark when he does not.