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Why Was Paul George Suspended? The Fresno State Star's Fall from Grace

February 6, 2026

Why Was Paul George Suspended? The Fresno State Star's Fall from Grace

The NBA world woke up last Saturday morning to stunning news: Paul George, the Philadelphia 76ers' nine-time All-Star forward, had been suspended 25 games without pay for violating the league's anti-drug program. The suspension, announced on January 31, 2026, will cost George roughly $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary and sideline him until March 25.1

For a player who overcame being labeled a three-star recruit to become one of the NBA's elite two-way players, the suspension represents the most serious setback of his 15-year professional career. But what exactly happened? And how did a player known for his professionalism find himself in this situation?

The Suspension: What We Know

The NBA's official statement was brief, confirming only that George violated "the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program." The league did not disclose the specific substance involved or the nature of the violation.2

However, the 25-game length of the suspension provides a critical clue. According to the terms of the agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, a 25-game ban indicates this was George's first violation of the anti-drug policy. Subsequent violations carry significantly harsher penalties.3

George himself released a statement to ESPN that provided context to the situation:

"Over the past few years, I've discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication. I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to the Sixers organization, my teammates and the Philly fans for my poor decision making during this process. I am focused on using this time to make sure that my mind and body are in the best condition to help the team when I return."4

The statement reveals that George was seeking treatment for a mental health issue and inadvertently took a medication that violated the NBA's banned substances list. It's a reminder of the complex intersection between mental health treatment and professional sports' strict drug policies.

The Financial and Team Impact

The suspension carries significant consequences beyond George's personal disappointment.

Financial Cost: George will forfeit approximately $469,692 for each of the 25 games missed, totaling $11.7 million in lost salary. However, the 76ers will receive a luxury tax credit worth half that amount—roughly $5.8 million—which puts Philadelphia just $1.26 million over the luxury tax line.5

Team Implications: The timing couldn't be worse for the 76ers. At 26-21 and sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia was finding its rhythm with George averaging 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 27 games this season. Just days before the suspension, he'd posted one of his best performances of the year—a 32-point outburst fueled by nine three-pointers in a win over Milwaukee.6

The suspension came just days before the February 5 NBA trade deadline, potentially impacting Philadelphia's strategy. The Sixers are 16-11 when George plays and 10-10 when he doesn't. With the team's championship window potentially closing, losing a key piece for 25 games could derail their playoff positioning.7

From Overlooked to Elite: The Fresno State Foundation

To understand the magnitude of this setback, it helps to trace George's unlikely journey from overlooked recruit to NBA stardom.

The Three-Star Recruit

George wasn't always destined for greatness. Growing up in Palmdale, California, he was rated by Rivals.com as just a three-star recruit, ranked 20th among California prospects in a class that included future NBA players Jrue Holiday and DeMar DeRozan.8

He initially committed to Santa Clara, then de-committed. After considering Pepperdine, he ultimately chose Fresno State over offers from Georgetown and Penn State because it was close to home and would allow his family to watch him play.9

The Fresno State Breakout

Paul George Fresno State

At Fresno State, George quickly proved the recruiting rankings wrong.

Freshman Season (2008-09): Starting all 34 games, George averaged 14.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting an impressive 47.0% from the field. His three-point shooting (44.7%) was the third-best in program history, and he led the Western Athletic Conference in minutes played.10

His impact was immediate. In just his second collegiate game against Saint Mary's, George scored 25 points on 56.3% shooting, landing on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays and announcing his arrival on the national stage.11

Sophomore Season (2009-10): George elevated his game even further, averaging 16.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. He earned All-WAC honors and set a program record by shooting 90.9% from the free-throw line. After missing four games with an ankle injury, he returned with a career-high 30 points against New Mexico State.12

Paul George at Fresno State Stats
Games Played 63 (2 seasons)
Career Points 977 (15.5 per game)
Career Rebounds 423 (6.7 per game)
Career FG% 44.7%
Career 3P% 39.6%
Career FT% 80.3%

On March 31, 2010, George announced he would forgo his final two seasons of eligibility and enter the NBA draft. He became the highest draft pick in Fresno State history when the Indiana Pacers selected him 10th overall.13

The Bulldogs retired his jersey in 2019, lifting it to the rafters of the Save Mart Center as a testament to his impact on the program.14

The NBA Journey: From Most Improved to All-Star

George's NBA career has been marked by steady ascension and occasional setbacks—though nothing like this current suspension.

Early Success in Indiana (2010-2017): After averaging 7.8 points as a rookie, George won the NBA's Most Improved Player award in 2013, making his first All-Star team and leading the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2004.15

Then came the devastating setback. In August 2014, while competing for a roster spot on the USA Basketball team, George suffered a gruesome compound fracture of his right leg during a scrimmage. The injury threatened his career, but he returned to earn All-NBA honors three times with Indiana.16

Oklahoma City Thunder (2017-2019): George formed a dynamic duo with Russell Westbrook, earning All-NBA First Team honors in 2019 while averaging 28.0 points per game.

Los Angeles Clippers (2019-2024): The Palmdale native returned home, signing with the Clippers. Despite championship expectations, injuries limited him to no more than 56 games in any season from 2019-2023.17

Philadelphia 76ers (2024-Present): George signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the 76ers in July 2024, joining Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to form Philadelphia's "Big 3." His first season was marred by knee and adductor injuries, limiting him to just 41 games.18

This season started with promise—George missed the first 12 games after knee surgery but returned to provide veteran leadership to a team with playoff aspirations. Now that progress has been halted.

Mental Health and Professional Sports

George's statement about seeking mental health treatment adds an important dimension to this story. Over recent years, he has been vocal about the importance of mental health awareness, making this situation particularly poignant.

The intersection of mental health treatment and professional sports' anti-drug policies creates complicated scenarios. Many medications used to treat anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other conditions contain substances that appear on banned lists. Athletes must navigate therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) and work closely with team doctors to ensure compliance while getting necessary treatment.

George's reference to taking an "improper medication" suggests he was genuinely seeking help for a mental health issue rather than attempting to gain a competitive advantage. The NBA's anti-drug policy distinguishes between performance-enhancing drugs and drugs of abuse, with different penalty structures for each.19

What Happens Next

George will miss the remainder of the regular season through mid-March, returning only for the final 10 games if all goes according to schedule. The 76ers will need players like Kelly Oubre Jr., Justin Edwards, and Dominick Barlow to step up in his absence.20

For George personally, this suspension represents more than just lost games and money. At 35 years old and in the second year of his massive contract, he's fighting to prove he can stay healthy and productive enough to justify Philadelphia's investment. This setback damages that narrative and raises questions about his reliability.

The suspension also overshadows what had been a solid bounce-back season. After struggling through injuries in 2024-25, George was finally finding his rhythm, meshing well with teammates and providing the two-way play that made him a perennial All-Star.21

The Bigger Picture

Paul George's journey from three-star recruit at Fresno State to nine-time All-Star has been defined by perseverance through adversity. He overcame recruiting doubters, a catastrophic leg injury, and repeated injury setbacks to cement his place among the NBA's elite players.

This suspension is different. It's self-inflicted, the result of what George himself calls "poor decision making," even if the intention was to address legitimate health concerns. The NBA's strict liability approach means intent doesn't matter—athletes are responsible for everything they put in their bodies.

When George returns on March 25, he'll have 10 regular-season games to rebuild chemistry with his teammates before the playoffs. The 76ers will need him at his best if they hope to make a deep postseason run. But first, he must navigate this suspension, use the time to address his mental health needs properly, and prepare for what may be his last real chance at an NBA championship.

For a player who has overcome so much—from being the 20th-ranked recruit in California to surviving a career-threatening injury—this latest challenge is another test of resilience. The question is whether the Fresno State star who defied expectations throughout his career can once again rise from adversity, or whether this suspension marks the beginning of a decline for one of his generation's most talented two-way players.

Footnotes

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