PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers was suspended 25 video games for violating the phrases of the NBA’s anti-drug program, the league introduced Saturday.
The NBA didn’t disclose the character of the violation or the substance that was concerned, and George launched an announcement to ESPN saying he took one thing that was “improper.”
“Over the previous few years, I’ve mentioned the significance of psychological well being, and in the midst of just lately in search of therapy for a problem of my very own, I made the error of taking an improper remedy,” George stated within the assertion launched to the community.
He apologized to the staff and its followers, saying he takes “full duty for my actions.”
The 25-game suspension, by phrases of the settlement between the NBA and the Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation, signifies that this was a primary violation by George. He’ll start serving the suspension Saturday when Philadelphia hosts New Orleans.
The suspension will value George — a nine-time All-Star — roughly $11.7 million of his $51.7 million wage, or about $469,691.72 for every of the 25 video games missed. A few of that forfeited cash will flip right into a credit score and put Philadelphia nearer to getting out of the posh tax; the 76ers can be about $1.3 million over that line when factoring within the cash George isn’t getting.
George is predicted to be eligible to return on March 25, when Philadelphia performs host to Chicago. The 76ers could have 10 video games remaining within the common season at that time.
Philadelphia entered Saturday at 26-21, sixth within the Japanese Convention. The 76ers are 16-11 when George performs, 10-10 when he doesn’t.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse declined forward of Saturday’s recreation to debate particulars of the dialog he had with George after the suspension was introduced. Nurse stated he hadn’t observed any private points with George, at the same time as psychological well being issues have been addressed within the assertion.
“I feel he’s been nice,” Nurse stated. “Actually enjoyable to teach. Actually good teammate. His teammates actually like him. Exhibiting some nice management.”
George has averaged 16 factors in 27 video games this season for the Sixers, with that scoring common third-highest on the staff behind Tyrese Maxey (29.4) and Joel Embiid (25.7). He had considered one of his greatest video games of the season earlier this week, a 32-point outburst fueled by 9 3-pointers in a win over Milwaukee on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old George signed a $212 million, four-year contract in free company forward of the 2024 season. However his first yr in Philly was marred by knee and adductor accidents that resulted within the ahead having one of many worst years of his NBA profession.
George averaged 16.2 factors in simply 41 video games, simply his lowest scoring common in a full season since he averaged 12.1 factors for Indiana in his second NBA season.
“I feel there’s been numerous circumstances which were actually unlucky,” Nurse stated. “I additionally really feel like he’s performed fairly nicely this yr. Borderline very nicely, contemplating he’s performed such a essential function for us. Form of slotted in like a very good function participant on this specific staff. I feel he’s completed what we’ve want him to do.”
Final season was so depressing that George known as his first yr in Philly “all-time low” over the course of his profession.
It’s definitely not any higher now.
“As with all our gamers, coping with this type of stuff, you care about them,” Nurse stated. “We’re to assist him. The group is in any method potential. And attempt to get previous it as quickly as we will, get by means of it one of the simplest ways we will, after which go from there.”
George had surgical procedure in July on his left knee after he was injured throughout a exercise and missed the primary 12 video games of this season.
George and two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid had been wholesome sufficient this season to maintain the Sixers within the thick of the Japanese Convention playoff race. Maxey blossomed into an All-Star starter and a robust rookie season from No. 3 total draft choose VJ Edgecombe had the Sixers hopeful they might make some noise within the playoffs.
With the Feb. 5 commerce deadline approaching, George’s suspension might have a profound affect on what the Sixers do as they make a playoff push.
The 76ers will undergo the deadline whereas they’re on a five-game West Coast street journey that begins Monday on the Los Angeles Clippers.
“You get the punch to the intestine, however hear, me, I’ve received to guide the cost right here,” Nurse stated. “We’ve received to get preventing and we’ve received to get to work.”
Reynolds reported from Miami.
