The NBA’s public release did not name any substance or detail the exact violation beyond the anti-drug program infraction. That distinction matters for readers, since the league provided a broad disciplinary statement but not a substance-specific disclosure, and George has not publicly named the drug himself.
George said he took the medication by mistake while pursuing mental-health treatment, accepting full responsibility and offering apologies to the 76ers, his teammates, and the team’s fan base. He did not reveal the substance involved when addressing the suspension.
The ban began with Philadelphia’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 31, 2026, and he was eligible to return on March 25, 2026. The league and team noted the financial impact, with the suspension costing him more than $11.7 million in salary and limiting him to the final 10 regular-season games after his return.
George did return on March 25, 2026, scoring 28 points in his comeback against the Chicago Bulls and providing a much-needed lift to a 76ers team navigating late-season challenges. His absence had stretched Philadelphia’s rotation and underscored his value as a veteran scorer and wing presence.
At 35, George is in the second season of a four-year, $212 million contract with Philadelphia, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 37 regular-season games this season. The suspension highlighted the fragility of maintaining a high-usage veteran core for a team aiming to sustain pace in a crowded Eastern Conference. The core takeaway remains: a 25-game suspension for an anti-drug program violation, with the substance never publicly disclosed, and a return that helped the 76ers close the season.
