Paul George suspended 25 games for violating NBA’s drug policy

PHILADELPHIA — Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers was suspended 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA’s antidrug program, the league announced Saturday.

The NBA did not disclose the nature of the violation or the substance involved, and George released a statement to ESPN saying he took something that was “improper.”

“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.

He apologized to the team and its fans, saying he takes “full responsibility for my actions.”

The 25-game suspension, by terms of the agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Assn., indicates this was a first violation. He began the suspension Saturday when Philadelphia hosted New Orleans.

The suspension will cost George, a nine-time All-Star and former Clippers star, roughly $11.7 million of his $51.7-million salary, or about $469,691.72 for each of the 25 games missed.

George is expected to be eligible to return March 25 when Philadelphia hosts Chicago. The 76ers will have 10 games remaining in the regular season at that point.

Philadelphia entered Saturday at 26-21, sixth in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers were 16-11 when George plays, 10-10 when he does not.

George has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season, third highest on the team behind Tyrese Maxey (29.4) and Joel Embiid (25.7). He had one of his best games of the season last week, a 32-point outburst fueled by nine three-pointers in a win over Milwaukee on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old George signed a $212-million, four-year contract in free agency ahead of the 2024-25 season. But his first year in Philadelphia was marred by knee and adductor injuries that resulted in one of the worst years of his career. George averaged 16.2 points in 41 games, easily his lowest scoring average in a full season since he averaged 12.1 points for Indiana in his second season.

Last season was so miserable that George called it “rock bottom” for his career.

It’s certainly not any better now.

George had surgery on his left knee in July after he was injured during a workout and missed the first 12 games this season.

George and Embiid, the two-time NBA scoring champion, have been healthy enough to keep the 76ers in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Maxey blossomed into an All-Star starter, and a strong rookie season from No. 3 overall draft pick VJ Edgecombe has the 76ers hopeful they could make some noise in the playoffs.

With Thursday’s trade deadline approaching, George’s suspension could have a profound impact on what the 76ers do as they try to continue their playoff push.