76ers forward Paul George suspended 25 games for anti-drug violation
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PHILADELPHIA — The NBA on Saturday suspended Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George for 25 games without pay for violating the league’s anti-drug program.
In a statement provided to ESPN, the 35-year-old said he was receiving treatment for a mental-health matter when he “mistakenly took an improper medication.” George added, “I take full responsibility and apologize to the organization, my teammates and Philadelphia fans. I’ll use this time to make sure my mind and body are ready to help the team when I return.”
The penalty takes effect immediately, sidelining George for Saturday night’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans. He will be eligible to return on March 25, when the Sixers host the Chicago Bulls, leaving 10 regular-season games on the schedule.
George is averaging 16.0 points while shooting 38 percent from three-point range in 27 appearances for a Philadelphia club that entered the day sixth in the Eastern Conference. The trio of George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey has logged 365 minutes across 17 games and is plus-7.0 points per 100 possessions.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that the suspension will trim more than $5 million from the Sixers’ projected luxury-tax bill, placing the team a little over $1 million above the tax threshold and potentially easing a move out of the tax before the trade deadline.
After Thursday’s win in Sacramento, Embiid said he hopes the front office “keeps the same team together,” praising the locker-room chemistry and the club’s chances to contend.
Source: ESPN
