Paul George suspended 25 games for NBA drug policy violation

Suspension deals another blow to Sixers' playoff hopes after injury-plagued seasons

Feb. 1, 2026 at 8:55am

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The Philadelphia 76ers' hopes of making a deep playoff run this season have been dealt another setback, as star player Paul George has been suspended 25 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy. George told ESPN that he mistakenly took a banned medication to address a mental health concern, but there is no excuse for the carelessness. The suspension comes just as the Sixers' 'Big Three' of George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey were starting to gel and the team was making a push up the Eastern Conference standings.

Why it matters

The Sixers have endured a tumultuous rebuild over the past 14 years dubbed 'The Process,' marked by poor roster decisions, injuries to key players, and off-court controversies. George's suspension is the latest setback in a long line of bad luck and bad karma that has plagued the franchise, raising questions about whether the team is cursed and if they can overcome these challenges to become a true contender.

The details

George was suspended for 25 games starting with Saturday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The suspension comes after George told ESPN that he mistakenly took a banned medication in order to address a mental health concern, though there is no excuse for the lack of proper vetting with the team's medical staff. The Sixers were just starting to hit their stride with the 'Big Three' of George, Embiid, and Maxey playing well together, going 9-8 in games the trio appeared in.

  • George was suspended on Friday, February 3, 2026.
  • The suspension began with the Sixers' game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, February 4, 2026.

The players

Paul George

A star player for the Philadelphia 76ers who was suspended 25 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy.

Tyrese Maxey

An All-Star starter and one of the key members of the Sixers' 'Big Three' alongside George and Joel Embiid.

Joel Embiid

The Sixers' star center and another member of the team's 'Big Three' who has dealt with injuries throughout his career.

Josh Harris

The owner of the Philadelphia 76ers who was recently named in the Epstein files as a business associate of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, though he was not implicated in Epstein's crimes.

Sam Hinkie

The former general manager of the Sixers who oversaw the team's 'Process' rebuild, which has been plagued by poor roster decisions and bad luck.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Sixers will have to find a way to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference without George for the next 25 games. The team's playoff hopes could hinge on how they weather this latest setback.

The takeaway

The Sixers' 'Process' rebuild has been defined by a series of setbacks, bad luck, and off-court controversies that have prevented the team from becoming a true contender. George's suspension is the latest example of the 'bad karma' that has plagued the franchise, raising questions about whether they can ever break the cycle and build a sustainable winner.