The NBA suspended Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George 25 games without pay for violating the league’s anti-drug program. In a statement to ESPN on Saturday, George admitted to taking “improper medication” for a 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 in the statement.
“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.”
George added: “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 will begin Saturday night, when the Sixers host the New Orleans Pelicans, the league announced.
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In his 16th NBA season, the 35-year-old George is averaging 16 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on 42.4% shooting for a Philadelphia team that’s 26-21 and sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.
George is in his second season with the Sixers after signing a maximum four-year, $212 million contract with the franchise in the summer of 2024.
George’s suspension could have an impact on Philadelphia’s trade-deadline approach. George’s 25-game ban will cost him $11,742,294, according to NBA salary cap analyst Yossi Gozlan, who reported Saturday that, in turn, the Sixers will receive a luxury tax credit worth half that amount.
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As a result, per Gozlan, the Sixers will be only $1.3 million above the luxury tax line. In saving more than $5 million in luxury tax payments, it will be easier for the Sixers to duck out of the tax before the deadline without disrupting a roster that has Philadelphia back in playoff contention after last season’s injury-riddled nosedive.
“Obviously, we’ve been ducking the tax the last couple of years, so hopefully we keep the same team,” Sixers star center Joel Embiid told reporters after a 113-111 win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, per ESPN. “I love all the guys that are here. I think we got a shot.
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“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.”
This story is being updated.