It's been a rough start to Paul George's time with the Philadelphia 76ers since joining the organization at the beginning of last season, and things reached an all-time low on Saturday.
The NBA announced that George has been suspended for 25 games, starting with Saturday night's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, for violating the league's anti-drug policy. The suspension will cost him over $11 million, while the 76ers will face a tax penalty of nearly $6 million.
George will be moved from the active roster to the suspended list after the fifth game. Once that transition occurs, the 76ers will be allowed to sign an additional player.
“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 wrote in a statement via ESPN's Shams Charania. “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. 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.”
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George has appeared in 27 games this season for the 76ers, averaging 16.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 30.5 minutes per game.
During his time in Philadelphia, he has played in just 68 games overall and will now miss a significant portion of the season due to the suspension. His contract with the organization runs through 2027-28, and he is expected to return to the 76ers' lineup around the end of March.
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