Philadelphia 76ers ahead Paul George has been suspended 25 video games by the NBA for violating the league’s anti-drug program.
The league offered few details, however confirmed that George’s ban will start Saturday evening in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans.
In an announcement to ESPN, George blamed the failed drug take a look at on an improper treatment he took to handle a latest psychological well being concern.
“Over the previous few years, I’ve mentioned the significance of psychological well being, and in the middle of not too long ago searching for remedy for a problem of my very own, I made the error of taking an improper treatment,” George said in the statement. “I take full duty for my actions and apologize to the Sixers group, my teammates and the Philly followers for my poor resolution making throughout this course of.”
The suspension means George will miss the majority of the common season, and the Sixers might be with out one in every of their core gamers as they battle for a playoff spot. The group enters play Saturday at 26-21, good for sixth within the Japanese Convention and solely narrowly above the play-in spots.
George was already highly unpopular with Philadelphia fans, who’ve complained about his perceived underperformance and lack of availability on account of harm. It will solely make issues worse on that entrance. He’s averaging 16 factors, 5.1 rebounds and three.7 assists in 27 video games for the Sixers this season.
