It’s a real thunderclap in NBA. The Philadelphia Sixers will have to do without their star winger Paul George for 25 games after he violated drug regulations. The suspension “ without salary » of the nine-time All-Star player takes effect from the Sixers’ next match, this Saturday, January 31 against the New Orleans Pelicans, the authority indicated. His annual salary is around $52 million this season.
The NBA did not specify the name of the substance in question. Paul George, 35, admitted his “ error », In comments relayed by ESPN. “ Over the past few years, I’ve spoken out about the importance of mental health, and while recently seeking treatment for a personal issue, I made the mistake of taking the wrong medication “, he explained.
Player admits to making ‘bad decisions’
« I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to the Sixers organization, my teammates and Philadelphia fans for the poor decisions I made “, he continued. The Pennsylvania franchise having played 47 of the 82 matches on the calendar, George will be able to return to competition just before the end of the regular season, in anticipation of play-offsin spring.
« PG13 », gold medalist of the JO 2016 with the United States, established himself in the 2010s as one of the best in his position, but his star has faded recently due to repeated injuries. He has notably missed almost half of his team’s games since joining the Sixers in the summer of 2024 from the Los Angeles Clippers.
This suspension comes when George was on a good path. The winger, who averages 16 points per game, played a series of games in January. The veteran was particularly noticed during his 32-point performance against the Bucks on January 28, which coincided with the resurgence of form of the Sixers, currently sixth in the Eastern Conference.
