Shocking news for the Philadelphia 76ers: their star forward, Paul George , has been suspended for 25 games by the NBA after violating the league's anti-drug policy. The suspension, which is unpaid, takes effect immediately with Saturday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

An error related to his "mental health"

While the NBA has not disclosed the exact nature of the banned substance, the 35-year-old player quickly spoke out to clarify the situation via ESPN. Paul George cited a lapse in judgment during a difficult personal period.

"While recently seeking treatment for a mental health issue, I made the mistake of taking an inappropriate medication. I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to the Sixers, my teammates, and the fans."

A tricky time for the Sixers

While Philadelphia has already played 47 games this season, this 25-game suspension will keep "PG13" off the court for a significant portion of the remainder of the regular season. If he doesn't suffer any further setbacks, the former All-Star could return just before the playoffs , a crucial addition for the Pennsylvania team.

In short:

1. Performance: George averaged 16 points per game this season.
2. Context: He was returning to form in January (32 points against the Bucks), helping the Sixers climb back to 6th place in the Eastern Conference.
3. Background: Since his arrival in 2024, the player has often been hampered by injuries, missing nearly half of his franchise's games.