Philadelphia 76ers Star Paul George Hit With 25-Game NBA Suspension for Anti-Drug Violation

The Philadelphia 76ers have been dealt a major blow with the news that star forward Paul George has received a 25-game suspension from the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug program. The announcement came on January 31, 2026, rocking the team and fans alike.

The nine-time All-Star, now 35 and in his second season with the Sixers after a storied 16-year NBA career, addressed the situation directly in a heartfelt statement to ESPN:

"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 apologise to the Sixers organization, my teammates, and the Philly fans for my poor decision-making during this process.

I'm 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."

The suspension is without pay and began immediately with the 76ers' game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 31. George won't be eligible to return until March 25, when Philadelphia faces the Chicago Bulls—leaving just 10 regular-season games remaining for the team.

This season, George has appeared in 27 games, averaging 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game—solid contributions to a Sixers squad currently hovering around the middle of the Eastern Conference standings.

The ban will cost George approximately $11.7 million from his $51.7 million salary this year (roughly $470,000 per missed game). Interestingly, under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, forfeited salary from such suspensions counts only partially toward the luxury tax—providing the 76ers with a financial silver lining by reducing their tax bill by about half that amount (around $5.87 million).

This marks a first-time violation under the league's anti-drug policy, which is why the penalty landed at 25 games. The NBA did not disclose the specific substance involved.