Shockwave: Paul George handed a 25-game suspension

Suspension Details

The NBA announced on Saturday that Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 games for violating the league's substance rules.

The league did not disclose the nature of the banned substance, whether it was a performance-enhancer or a recreational drug, but the ban length followed the players' union agreement for first offenses.

George will forfeit about $11.7 million of his annual $51.7 million salary, more than $469,000 for every one of the 25 games he will miss.

He is expected to be eligible to return on March 25, when the 76ers face the Chicago Bulls, with Philadelphia left with 10 games in regular season.

Philadelphia enters the game against New Orleans with a 26-21 record, sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference standings today.

This season the 76ers have won 16 of 27 games with George, while they have won 10 and lost 10 in his absence.

George has averaged 16 points per game this season across 27 appearances, placing him third on the team in scoring.

That week, he dropped 32 and nine threes, a performance to remember—proof legends occasionally forget to wear sunscreen on the court today.