Paul George has been suspended 25 games by the NBA for violating the league’s anti-drug/anti-drug program policy while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Quick Scoop: What happened?

  • The NBA announced that Paul George, now a forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, received a 25-game suspension without pay for violating the terms of the league’s Anti-Drug Program.
  • The suspension started with a Sixers game against the New Orleans Pelicans and he is eligible to return around March 25, 2026, if the schedule holds.
  • Reports describe it as an anti-drug policy violation that falls under the league’s program (often grouped with performance-enhancing or banned substances), but details of the specific substance are not publicly broken down.
  • George released a statement saying he had been seeking treatment for a personal issue, took an “improper medication,” and accepted responsibility, apologizing to the 76ers, his teammates, and fans.

How this affects his season

  • Before the suspension, George was averaging roughly 16 points, about 5 rebounds, and nearly 4 assists per game for Philadelphia this season, after already missing early games due to offseason knee surgery.
  • The 25-game ban not only sidelines him until late March but also costs him a significant portion of his salary under the terms of his contract and NBA discipline rules.
  • In his absence, coverage notes that other forwards like Dominick Barlow and wing players such as Kelly Oubre Jr. are expected to see bigger roles in the Sixers’ rotation.

Recent context and background

  • George joined the 76ers on a large multi-year deal and has been managing a left knee issue, which kept him out of the first stretch of the season before he returned and had some strong scoring nights, including a 30-plus point game with a big three-point shooting performance.
  • This latest suspension is being described as a major blow to Philadelphia’s push in the Eastern Conference, since he was brought in as a high-level two-way wing to complement the Sixers’ core.
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Aspect What happened
Team Philadelphia 76ers (forward)
Issue Violation of NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program
Penalty 25-game suspension without pay
Start of suspension Game vs. New Orleans Pelicans, late January 2026
Expected return Eligible around March 25, 2026
His statement Said he took an improper medication while seeking treatment, took responsibility, and apologized

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