Philadelphia’s Paul George suspended 25 video games for violating NBA’s anti-drug coverage

Philadelphia’s Paul George has been suspended 25 video games for “violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program,” the league introduced Saturday.

George’s suspension begins Saturday evening in opposition to New Orleans and can preserve him out via March 25, when the 76ers host the Bulls.

George gave this assertion to Shams Charania of 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 actions and apologize to the Sixers organization, my teammates and the Philly fans for my poor decision making during this process.

“I am focused on using this time to make sure that my mind and body are in the best condition to help the team when I return.”

The suspension will value George $11.7 million in wage.

George is averaging 16 factors and 5.1 rebounds per recreation and has had some standout nights, together with a 32-point efficiency in opposition to the Bucks final Tuesday. While the 76ers are used to taking part in with out George for stretches this season — he has missed 20 video games on account of an assortment of accidents — they’ve been higher with him. Philly has a +4.7 web ranking with George on the courtroom this season and a -1.9 with out him.

This suspension might impression the 76ers on the commerce deadline, and never as a result of they may search to exchange a few of his scoring punch. Philadelphia was about $7 million into the posh tax and there have been a number of reviews of the staff making an attempt to make a commerce to scale back or remove that tax invoice. The 76ers obtain a luxurious tax credit score from the suspension value half of what George loses, almost $5.9 million. This leaves the 76ers simply $1.3 million into the tax, and will probably be a lot simpler to dodge the tax altogether with out buying and selling any rotation gamers.