Today, Shams Charania reported that Paul George, a former LA Clipper, would be suspended for 25 games for violating the league's anti-drug policy. The news comes two days after George appeared in a game against the Sacramento Kings, where he totaled 15 points, five assists, and two rebounds, while shooting 46.7% from the field.
Just In: The NBA has suspended Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George for 25 games for violating the league's anti-drug policy.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2026
George released a statement to ESPN, citing mental health, acknowledging his mistake, and focusing on his return to play. After his return, which is projected for March 25th against the Chicago Bulls, he will have the opportunity to appear in nine more games this season.
Statement from 76ers' Paul George to ESPN: “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. I take full responsibility for my… https://t.co/0CpqjNToue
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2026
However, without George for the next 25 games, the Philadelphia 76ers will have to climb an uphill mountain of winning with heavy reliance on Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid as the primary veterans. This only toughens Philadelphia's path of cracking a top six seed.
Paul George has not progressed at all since leaving the Clippers
Paul George spent five seasons with the LA Clippers, was named to the All-Star team three times, and earned an All-NBA Third Team selection in 2021. That same season, he helped lead the franchise to their first-ever Western Conference Finals appearance.
In the two seasons since leaving the Clippers, George’s tenure for the Philadelphia 76ers has been turbulent, to say the least. George ended his career in LA still looking like a superstar, but that stardom quickly faded as he has averaged only 16.1 points in 68 games for the 76ers.
To make matters worse, George only appeared in half of the 76ers' games last season, and the team missed the playoffs. This season, things started to turn around. While George’s numbers were not particularly better, the team seemed to have found the right direction, holding a 26-21 record in the Eastern Conference.
Moreover, there are two main reasons for George’s regression. First, his age. George is 35 years old and in the middle of his 16th NBA season. Pair that with his two years of college basketball at Fresno State, and it is clear that the toll his body has been taking over his career is starting to show.
The health issues are not new news for fans either. One of the biggest issues during his tenure with the Clippers was his availability, as he played more than 65 games only once with the team. This season will not be any different, as he has missed 20 of Philadelphia's 47 games, and is set to miss 25 more.
Probably the biggest reason, however, is his role. After his first few seasons in the NBA, George has always had to be a star. Philadelphia brought him in to be that second option alongside Joel Embiid, but Tyrese Maxey's emergence shifted his confidence, role, and fit with the team.
Nonetheless, George's time in Philadelphia just hit a new low with a massive suspension. He will be forced to sit out, as a consequence of his actions, and watch the 76ers try their best to make up for his absence, which was led by a careless, regretful mistake.