Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George cites mental health for drug ban
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has revealed that mental health struggles stemming from an off-season knee injury led to his 25-game drug suspension, as he prepares to return to NBA action on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old was banned in late January for violating the league’s anti-doping programme.
Addressing the media at the team’s New Jersey training complex, the nine-time All-Star issued an apology to his franchise, supporters, and family.
“To let people down hurt more than kind of anything.”
Paul George
Injury frustrations and mental toll
The former Indiana Pacers standout explained that his decision to take a prohibited substance was directly linked to the psychological impact of his physical limitations.
A severe knee injury suffered during a July workout severely restricted his production during his debut campaign in Pennsylvania.
“The most difficult thing is when your body isn’t where you know it needs to be or where it once was.”
He admitted that failing to meet his own high expectations ultimately drove him to make a poor choice regarding his rehabilitation.
Playoff push and team standings
The veteran wing signed a lucrative four-year contract worth $212m during the free agency period ahead of the 2024 season.
However, he has averaged just 16 points across 27 appearances this year, marking his lowest scoring output in over a decade.
Despite missing both their marquee signing and the injured Joel Embiid for significant stretches, Philadelphia managed an admirable 13-12 record during the suspension period.
The Eastern Conference franchise currently sits in seventh place with a 39-33 record, leaving them firmly in the hunt for a post-season berth with 10 games remaining.
A costly mistake and a fresh start
The lengthy ban proved incredibly costly for the forward, resulting in approximately $11.7m in forfeited salary.
Nevertheless, he believes the enforced hiatus provided crucial recovery time for his persistent physical ailments.
“These 25 games were just what I needed, I think for my body.”
Concluding his statement, the returning star emphasised his vulnerability while navigating the intense pressures of professional sport.
“I’ve said it throughout my career, dealing with mental health, I’m no superhero. I’m human and I made a mistake in that moment.”
