Paul George was suspended 25 games without pay for violating the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program, the league announced on January 31, 2026. The Philadelphia 76ers star later said he made the mistake of taking an “improper medication” while seeking treatment for a mental health issue.
The key detail many readers still want is also the one the NBA never publicly provided: the league did not identify the specific substance involved. That means the clearest answer is also the most careful one. George was banned for an anti-drug program violation, but the drug itself was not publicly named by the NBA.
Did the NBA say what substance Paul George took?
No. In its official release, the NBA said only that George had been suspended 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. The announcement did not name a substance or describe the exact violation beyond that.
That distinction matters. There is a difference between what the public can confirm and what people may assume. Based on the league’s official statement, the substance was not disclosed. George also did not publicly name it when addressing the suspension.
Why did Paul George say he took the medication?
George said he was seeking treatment for a mental health issue and took an improper medication by mistake. In a statement reported by ESPN, he said he accepted full responsibility and apologized to the 76ers, his teammates and fans.
When George spoke again ahead of his return in late March, he still declined to share the specific substance involved. What he did emphasize was that he felt he was in a much better place physically and personally after the time away.
How long was Paul George suspended?
George’s suspension lasted 25 games. The NBA announced it on January 31, 2026, and the suspension began that night with Philadelphia’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. He became eligible to return on March 25, 2026.
Reuters reported that the suspension cost George more than $11.7 million in salary. It also left him available for only the final 10 regular-season games after he returned.
When did Paul George return?
George returned to the 76ers’ lineup on March 25, 2026. ESPN reported before that game that he was set to return Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls, and he scored 28 points in that comeback appearance.
That return mattered for a Philadelphia team trying to steady itself late in the season. Even after an injury-interrupted year, George remained a major piece of the 76ers’ rotation because of his scoring, size and experience on the wing.
Paul George stats, age and quick bio
George is 35 years old. He’s in the second season of a four-year, $212 million contract with Philadelphia. He averaged as 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 37 regular season games this season.
That helps explain why the suspension was such a big deal for Philadelphia. This was not a fringe bench player losing a handful of games. It was a veteran star the 76ers expected to be one of their core pieces alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
The bottom line
The cleanest answer to the question is this: Paul George was suspended 25 games for violating the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. The NBA did not publicly identify the substance. George said he took an improper medication while seeking treatment for a mental health issue, accepted responsibility, and returned to the 76ers on March 25.
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