Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers has been suspended 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA’s Anti-Drug Program, the league announced Saturday.
The NBA did not disclose the nature of the violation or the substance that was involved. The 25-game suspension, by terms of the agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, indicates that this was a first violation by George.
The suspension will cost George – a nine-time All-Star – roughly $11.7m of his $51.7m salary, or about $469,691.72 for each of the 25 games missed.
George is expected to be eligible to return on 25 March, when Philadelphia play host to Chicago. The 76ers will have 10 games remaining in the regular season at that point.
Philadelphia entered Saturday at 26-21, sixth in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers are 16-11 when George plays, 10-10 when he does not.
George has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season for the 76ers, that scoring average third-most on the team behind Tyrese Maxey (29.4) and Joel Embiid (25.7). He had one of his best games of the season earlier this week, a 32-point outburst fueled by nine three-pointers in a win Tuesday over Milwaukee.
