Sixers forward Paul George
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
Sixers forward Paul George
The Philadelphia 76ers had an opportunity to get Paul George back in the lineup on Wednesday, March 25, against the Chicago Bulls.
After the star forward wrapped up his 25-game suspension, he was ready to suit up and get back out on the court without any ramp-up period.
As the Sixers faced a shorthanded and struggling Bulls team, George had an opportunity to get an early night off. Before he did, he caught fire from the field.
In total, George checked in for 26 minutes.
From the field, the veteran forward shot 11-22. He went 6-13 from three, scoring 28 points. George also came down with six rebounds, produced four assists, snatched up four steals, and blocked one shot.
After the game, Nick Nurse addressed the return of the seasoned All-Star.
Nick Nurse Discusses Paul George’s Return To The Sixers
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 23: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Jaime Jaquez Jr. #11 of the Miami Heat during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on November 23, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
“Just some time, I think he just needed to get the feel back a little bit. Obviously, we started the half by running a couple of plays for him. Ran a couple of plays out of timeouts. He made them. He got to the spot quickly, and rose up, and then he kind of went on a one-on-one spree there for a bit after he kind of got going,” Nurse told reporters after the game.
“It was good. I think we needed to just get him some open looks, and kind of everybody knew he was going to shoot it when he came off the screens and things. That probably helped him get going.”
Before Wednesday’s action, George’s last appearance occurred on January 29.
At the time, the Sixers hosted the Sacramento Kings. George played for 36 minutes, scoring 15 points, five assists, and two rebounds.
Due to violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, George was hit with a 25-game suspension. The star forward accepted the reality and opted not to appeal. He missed nearly two months of action.
Ahead of Wednesday’s clash with the Bulls, George addressed the media with several messages regarding the situation. He started with an apology to the fan base.
Sixers forward Paul George
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty ImagesPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 23: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers in actionduring a game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Wells Fargo Center on December 23, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Paul George Issues An Apology To Sixers Fans
“I think first and foremost, just give my apology to, obviously, the city of Philadelphia. My family, my teammates, the organization, everybody that was affected through this suspension,” George told reporters.
“Obviously, to own up to that as a leader of this group and being brought here to be a leader and help bring you know that edge and a possibility and chance to win here, to let people down hurts more than kind of anything going through this process. Shoutout to the guys for having my back, for supporting me through this time, to where now things are on the positive side and looking forward to tomorrow and being available and giving everything I got.”
George then went on to explain that while it’s difficult to stay in basketball shape without any games played, he was fully healthy and in the best shape he could be to return and make an impact.
Wednesday’s game was a good start. George and the Sixers dominated the Bulls with a 157-137 win. With that victory, the Sixers advanced to 40-33 on the year.