Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has received a 25-game suspension from the NBA for breaching the league’s anti-drug policy.
The NBA provided limited details but confirmed that George’s suspension will take effect starting Saturday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.
In a statement to ESPN, George attributed his failed drug test to a medication he took while dealing with a recent mental health issue.
“Over the past few years, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication,” George stated. “I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to the Sixers organization, my teammates, and the Philadelphia fans for my poor decision making during this process.”
This suspension means that George will miss much of the regular season, impacting the Sixers as they aim for a playoff position. The team currently has a record of 26-21, placing them sixth in the Eastern Conference and just above the play-in spots.
George has faced criticism from Philadelphia fans due to concerns about his performance and injury issues. His current averages are 16 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists over 27 games this season.