Paul George suspended 25 games for violating anti-drug policy
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 14: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena on December 14, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The NBA has suspended Paul George for 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA’s anti-drug policy, the league announced Saturday. The NBA did not reveal the substance that was involved.
George will miss 25 of the final 35 games of the regular season. He will be eligible to return on March 25, when the 76ers host the Chicago Bulls.
The suspension will cost the 35-year-old roughly $11,742,293 of his $51.7 million salary, or about $469,691.72 for each of the 25 games missed. The 76ers will receive a tax variance credit of $5,871,147.
George will be moved from the active to the suspended list after the fifth game, which is next Saturday in Phoenix. The Sixers can sign an additional player once he is on the suspended list.
“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 in a statement to ESPN. “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.”
In his 16th season, George has averaged a solid 16 points in 27 games, ranking third on the Sixers behind Tyrese Maxey (29.4) and Joel Embiid (25.7). George had perhaps his best game as a Sixer on Tuesday, dropping 32 points on a franchise-tying nine three-pointers in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
George is one of the biggest names to ever violate the NBA’s anti-drug policy. It will surely affect his Hall of Fame case, which was already borderline.
Now the Sixers, who are 26-21 and hold the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, will have to continue their playoff push as we enter the second half, mostly without George on the floor.
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
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