NBA Suspends Paul George
In a significant disciplinary measure, the NBA has announced a 25-game suspension for Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers due to an infraction of the league’s Anti-Drug Program. This ruling was made public on Saturday, although the NBA has opted not to reveal specific details regarding the nature of the violation or the substance involved.
Financial Impact of the Suspension
The suspension, which is the first offense under the NBA’s agreed-upon policy with the National Basketball Players Association, will have substantial financial repercussions for George. As a prominent player and nine-time All-Star, he will lose approximately $11.7 million from his salary of $51.7 million, translating to a loss of about $469,691.72 per game missed.
Projected Return and Team Performance
George is projected to make his comeback on March 25, when his team, the 76ers, is set to take on the Chicago Bulls. By that time, only ten games will remain in the regular season, which could impact the team’s playoff positioning.
As of Saturday, the six-time NBA All-Star’s team, the 76ers, held a record of 26 wins against 21 losses, placing them sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. The team has fared better with George on the court, obtaining a record of 16-11 as compared to their 10-10 performance without him.
George’s Contributions This Season
This season, George has contributed an average of 16 points per game across 27 appearances, ranking third on his team behind Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, who boast scoring averages of 29.4 and 25.7 respectively. Notably, just earlier this week, George was instrumental in a standout performance, scoring 32 points against the Milwaukee Bucks, including nine successful 3-pointers in that match.
Critical Period Ahead for the 76ers
The upcoming period for the 76ers will be critical as they aim to solidify their playoff aspirations while navigating George’s absence.
AP NBA
