Four days after delivering his best performance in a Sixers uniform, Paul George has been suspended 25 games without pay for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program, the league announced Saturday.
The suspension begins immediately, sidelining George for Saturday night’s matchup against the Pelicans at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
It’s a stunning turn of events for the nine-time All-Star, who just days ago lit up the Bucks with a vintage performance - 32 points, nine made threes, five boards, five assists, and two steals in a 139-122 win. That game wasn’t just a flashback to peak PG13 - it was historic. George became the third-oldest player in league history to hit nine threes in a single game, trailing only Steph Curry and James Harden in that category.
Through 27 games this season, George has averaged 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game - solid production for a veteran forward coming off knee surgery. He’s also now the oldest player in Sixers history to average at least 16 points, five rebounds, and 3.5 assists in a season. That kind of versatility and consistency has been a stabilizing force for a team still trying to find its rhythm in a competitive Eastern Conference.
George addressed the suspension in a statement to ESPN’s Shams Charania, revealing that the banned substance was taken while seeking treatment for mental health issues.
“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 is eligible to return on March 25, when the Sixers host the Bulls in South Philly. That leaves just 10 regular-season games for him to ramp back up before the playoffs begin - assuming the Sixers hold their ground in the standings.
Right now, Philadelphia sits at 26-21, good for sixth in the East. It’s been an up-and-down campaign, and George’s availability has been part of that rollercoaster.
He missed the first 12 games of the season recovering from offseason knee surgery and has now missed 20 games total. But when he’s on the court, the Sixers are 16-11 - a clear sign of the impact he makes when healthy and active.
George’s career numbers continue to stack up. Now in his 16th season, he’s scored 19,128 career points across stints with the Pacers, Thunder, Clippers, and Sixers. He’s just 872 points shy of joining the elite 20,000-point club - a milestone only 52 players in NBA history have reached.
For now, though, that chase is on hold. And for a Sixers team still trying to piece together a postseason run, the next 25 games will be a test of depth, chemistry, and resilience - without one of their most experienced and dynamic players.