76ers' Paul George scores 28 points in first game back from 25-game drug suspension

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul George returned to the 76ers' lineup following a 25-game suspension for a failed drug test and scored 28 points on Wednesday night in Philadelphia's 157-137 win over Chicago.

Playing for the first time since Jan. 29 due to a violation of the NBA’s drug policy, he missed 8 of 10 field goals in the opening half and had five points, but scored 23 points in the second half.

“I felt pretty explosive, pretty strong,” George said. “I felt good.”

George was cheered throughout, especially after converting on three consecutive possessions early in the fourth quarter.

“That was bringing back classic moments in my scoring bag, where I can be explosive as a scorer and put points up quick,” he said. “That's just me in the flow.”

George finished 11 of 22 from the field and 6 of 13 from long range.

“I think he just needed to get the feel back a little bit,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said.

George was grateful for his teammates' support.

“They were excited for me to come back out there,” he said.

The Sixers went 13-12 in his absence and began the day at 39-33 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

George was suspended in late January for violating the terms of the NBA’s anti-drug program.

In his first public remarks since the suspension, George apologized Tuesday to the team, its fans and his family for the poor judgment that led to his flunked test.

“To let people down hurt more than kind of anything,” George said.

He said his choice to take a banned substance was connected to a mental health issue that developed because of an offseason knee injury that limited his production this season.

“The most difficult thing is when your body isn’t where you know it needs to be or where it once was,” George said. “That leads and bleeds into the mental side of things, knowing that you’re limited. But for me, I feel good, my body is feeling great. Mentally, I know I’m capable of doing what I can do and what I’ve been able to on the court for years.”

George entered Wednesday averaging 16 points in 27 games this season for the Sixers. He had one of his best games in the week he was suspended, a 32-point outburst fueled by nine 3-pointers in a win over Milwaukee.

The 35-year-old George signed a $212 million, four-year contract in free agency ahead of the 2024 season. But his first year in Philly was marred by knee and adductor injuries that resulted in the forward having one of the worst years of his NBA career.

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Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George, right, goes up for a shot against Chicago Bulls' Josh Giddey during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George, right, and Cameron Payne celebrate during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George reacts after making a three-point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

FILE - Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George looks on during a break in play during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Norman Powell scored 19 points, Tyler Herro added 18 and the Miami Heat got contributions from everyone while stopping a five-game losing skid with a 120-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

As healthy as they've been all season, the Heat squandered a 17-point lead in the third quarter before recovering in the fourth. Miami led by nine with five minutes left before Bam Adebayo converted a three-point play and Kel'el Ware scored on a layup in an 11-second span.

Adebayo finished with 17 points, Ware had 13 points and 11 rebounds and the Heat had eight players score in double figures. The Heat will stay in Cleveland and play the Cavaliers again on Friday.

Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points before fouling out in the final minutes for the Cavs, whose winning streak ended at four. James Harden and Sam Merrill scored 18 apiece.

Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson was hoping for a better defensive effort from his team, which gave up 131 points against Orlando on Tuesday. Atkinson believes the Cavs are capable of more, but said they need to “make the shift in mentality” with the playoffs nearing.

The Heat, with one of the NBA's most potent offenses, were a good test and they controlled most of the first three quarters. Miami made 13 3-pointers while opening a 21-point lead in the first half.

Center Jarrett Allen missed his 10th straight game for the Cavs, who haven't been fully healthy all season. The latest injury came in warmups as forward Dean Wade rolled his right ankle when he stepped on a ballboy's foot. Wade has started 36 games.

The teams meet Friday for the fourth and final time this season.

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, right, shoots over Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson, left, shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae'qwan Tomlin (35) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell goes up for a shot next to Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) grabs a rebound in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)