The Philadelphia 76ers’ season took an abrupt turn Saturday afternoon. Not because of an injury update or a trade rumor, but because one of their most important players was suddenly gone. The NBA announced a 25-game suspension for Paul George, ruling that the veteran forward violated the league’s anti-drug policy. The decision immediately sidelined George for a significant portion of the season and forced Philadelphia to recalibrate its plans.

Shortly after the announcement, George addressed the suspension in a statement released through Shams Charania, offering both context and accountability.

“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.”

The suspension will keep George out until March 25, leaving him with roughly 10 games remaining in the regular season upon return. As a result, he will miss a substantial stretch for a team firmly in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

That said, this absence compounds what has already been a difficult season. George has missed 20 of Philadelphia’s 47 games due to injuries, limiting his ability to establish rhythm in his first year with the franchise.

In the 27 games he played, George averaged 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three-point range. While the production was solid rather than explosive, his two-way presence remained valuable.

George acknowledged the situation directly in his statement. “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.”

Paul George to incur heavy fines along with suspension

Beyond the missed games, the personal cost of the suspension is significant. George will forfeit $11,742,293 in salary, a loss of approximately $469,691 per game. From a team standpoint, the Philadelphia 76ers will receive a tax variance credit of $5,871,147. George will be moved from the active roster to the suspended list after the fifth game, allowing Philadelphia to sign an additional player until his return in late March.

The league did not specify the substance involved. George later clarified that the violation stemmed from an illegal medication taken during mental health treatment.

Philadelphia currently sits sixth in the Eastern Conference at 26–21, three games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team enters this stretch with momentum, having won its last two games against the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings.

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George was productive in those wins, scoring 32 points against Milwaukee and 15 against Sacramento, underscoring that he was beginning to find form before the suspension.

Still, the Sixers have proven capable of surviving without him. They are 10–10 in games George has missed, a reminder that the roster does not collapse around a single absence.

With George unavailable, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Dominick Barlow are expected to take on expanded roles, helping shoulder the load alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and rookie VJ Edgecombe.

Maintaining defensive intensity and limiting slippage on the wing will be critical over the next two months. If Philadelphia can remain afloat until George’s return, his availability in the postseason could still alter the team’s ceiling. For now, though, the focus is survival. And for Paul George, the silence is broken, but the wait has just begun.