Last Wednesday, the Spurs hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder in their fifth and final regular season meeting. In a release just prior to the game, the Thunder released their injury list:
Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain) Chet Holmgren (low back spasms) Alex Caruso (right adductor strain) Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain) Lugentz Dort (right patellofemoral joint, inflammation) Isaiah Hartenstein (right eye, corneal abrasion) Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain) Nikola Topić (surgical recovery)
Ousmane Dieng (not with team) Thomas Sorber (right ACL, surgical recovery)
Since 2023, NBA rules dictate that teams ensure star players are available for nationally televised and in-season tournament games that presumably attract more fan interest. The NBA defines a star player as any named to an All-Star or All-NBA team over the prior three seasons.
SGA is the reigning NBA MVP as well as All-NBA first team and an All-Star. Jalen Williams made All-NBA third team, as well as being named an All-Star.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, this triggered the investigation.
If found guilty of “affecting the integrity of the game,” the Thunder could face possible fines from $100,000 fine for a first violation, $250,000 for the second violation and an increase of $1 million for any subsequent violation.
Upon hearing about the horde of injured Thunder players, I was taken back to November 2012 when Popovich was fined $250,000 for sending Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Danny Green back to San Antonio while the rest of Spurs played a nationally televised game against the Heat in Miami.
Can help but think this situation would make the greatest to ever coach the game smile that crocked little smile and chuckle under his breath.
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