Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers has been suspended 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA’s anti-drug program, the league announced Saturday.

The NBA did not disclose the nature of the violation or the substance that was involved. The 25-game suspension, by terms of the agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, indicates that this was a first violation by George.

The suspension will cost George — a nine-time All-Star — roughly $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary, or about $469,691.72 for each of the 25 games missed.

George is expected to be eligible to return on March 25, when Philadelphia hosts Chicago. The 76ers will have 10 games remaining in the regular season at that point.

George has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season for the Sixers, that scoring average third-most on the team behind Tyrese Maxey (29.4) and Joel Embiid (25.7).

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.

George averaged 16.2 points in just 41 games.

He had surgery in July on his left knee after he was injured during a workout and missed the first 12 games of this season.

76ers 124, Pelicans 114: Joel Embiid had 40 points and 11 rebounds to help host Philadelphia win hours after George was suspended.

Without George, the 76ers couldn’t shake the 13-win Pel- icans until the final minutes.

Tyrese Maxey scored 18 points and hit one of his four 3-pointers that gave the Sixers a 117-111 lead and Embiid and VJ Edgecombe followed with consecutive 3s for a 123-113 lead.

Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 19 points and the 76ers hit 17 3-pointers.

Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 34 points.

Hornets 111, Spurs 106: Brandon Miller scored 26 points, Collin Sexton made all five 3-point attempts off the bench and finished with 21 points and Charlotte defeated visiting San Antonio to extend its winning streak to six games.

LaMelo Ball added 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to help give the Hornets their longest win streak since winning seven straight games in March 2016.

Dylan Harper scored 20 points to lead the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama was held in check, finishing with 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting and eight rebounds.

Pacers 129, Hawks 114: Andrew Nembhard scored 26 points, Pascal Siakam added 25 and host Indiana held off Atlanta.

Indiana led 103-100 entering the fourth. It was tight the rest of the way before Siakam hit a 12-foot jumper with 18.6 seconds remaining to push the Pacers ahead 127-123.

Aaron Nesmith added 23 points, Nembhard had 10 assists. The Pacers won despite 23 turnovers.

Atlanta dropped its second straight game despite Jalen Johnson’s eighth triple-double of the season. The forward finished with 33 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.