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NBA legend Charles Barkley has questioned the circumstances surrounding 76ers star Paul George’s 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
Speaking on the Inside the NBA, Barkley described the explanation for the ban as ‘fishy,’ regarding the narrative of George’s use of mental health medication.
The league officially handed down the suspension on Friday, causing immediate confusion across the NBA landscape as initial details were sparse.
It was later clarified by both the league and George’s camp that the violation did not involve performance-enhancing drugs but rather the misuse of prescribed mental health medication.
However, the explanation did not sit well with Barkley, who expressed skepticism during his recent broadcast appearance.
‘There’s something fishy going on here,’ Barkley remarked on Inside the NBA.
The NBA has handed Paul George a 25-game suspension for violating its anti-drugs policy
Charles Barkley has questioned the circumstances surrounding George’s 25-game suspension
‘I don’t joke around about mental health. But if you’re taking something for mental health, that’s got to be an outlier to the NBA. You should get a hall pass’.
Under the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement, such violations typically trigger significant mandatory absences to ensure compliance with health and safety protocols.
George has since taken full responsibility for the error, issuing an apology to the 76ers organization and his teammates for the distraction.
In a statement on Saturday, the 76ers star said he took ‘an improper medication’ while ‘seeking treatment’ for a issue with his mental health.
‘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,’ George told ESPN.
‘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.’
The suspension is set to be a costly one for the veteran forward, who is expected to lose approximately $11.7 million in salary during his time away from the court.
The 25-game absence marks a significant blow to a Philadelphia team currently striving to find its rhythm in a competitive Eastern Conference.
George said he took ‘an improper medication’ while ‘seeking treatment’ for his mental health
Despite the setback, the 76ers hope that George can return in peak form later in the season to bolster their playoff aspirations.
Veteran center Andre Drummond was among the first to offer support, taking to social media to write ‘I stand with you,’ highlighting the unity within the squad.
Head coach Nick Nurse will now be forced to lean on the team’s depth and remaining core stars as they navigate a difficult stretch without their high-profile acquisition.
For now, the focus in Philadelphia remains on maintaining their standing in the rankings while George focuses on his well-being and eventual return.
