Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George addressed the media on Tuesday for the first time since being suspended, delivering an emotional apology to fans and teammates as he prepares to return to the court.
Paul George Apologizes to 76ers Fans Ahead of Return from 25-Game Suspension
George was suspended 25 games without pay starting Jan. 31, 2026, for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.
The nine-time All-Star is now eligible to return when the 76ers host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, marking the end of a nearly two-month absence that left Philadelphia without one of its key players during a crucial stretch of the season.
Paul George with his takeaways from his 25-game suspension. pic.twitter.com/0Q42mW2d56
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 24, 2026
During his press conference at the team’s facility in Camden, New Jersey, George took full responsibility for his actions while apologizing to those he let down. The 35-year-old forward acknowledged the weight of expectations that came with his arrival in Philadelphia.
“I think first and foremost, just give my apology to obviously the city of Philadelphia, my family, my teammates, the organization, everybody that was affected through this suspension,” George said.
“Obviously, to own up to that as a leader of this group and being brought here to be a leader and help bring that edge and a possibility and chance to win here, to let people down hurts more than anything going through this process.”
George continued by expressing gratitude for the support he received from his teammates throughout the suspension. He noted that the organization stood by him despite the circumstances and helped carry him through a difficult period.
“Shout out to the guys for having my back, for supporting me through this time to where now things are on the positive side and looking forward to tomorrow and being available and giving everything I got,” George added.
76ers head coach Nick Nurse confirmed on Monday that George would be available to play Wednesday against the Bulls, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Nurse added that he does not expect George to have any ramp-up issues upon his return and praised George for working hard during his suspension, noting that he stayed conditioned and remained engaged with the team throughout the process.
George has been described as a terrific teammate during his time away from the court. He attended practices and shootarounds, helped younger players with their development, participated in film study, and traveled with the team on road trips even though he was not permitted to attend games.
Before the suspension, George had appeared in 27 games this season, averaging 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 38.2% from 3-point range. His last game was a 113-111 win over the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 30, during which he scored 15 points.
With 10 games remaining in the regular season, George views this final stretch as a pre-playoff audition. Six teams are separated by just three games from fifth to 10th in the East, creating a tight race for playoff positioning. George acknowledged there may be some rust after missing 25 games but expressed confidence in his readiness.
