Adam Silver
Getty
The NBA is investigating the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are arguably the best team in the NBA. But they have not been healthy as of late. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out until after the All-Star break, and Ajay Mitchell continues to miss games. Jalen Williams was hurt but has been cleared to return Monday night. But these injuries have caused problems within the NBA, and rules may have been broken.
Per Dan Woike of The Athletic, the NBA is opening an investigation into Oklahoma City for sitting injured players during a nationally televised game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 4th.
Dan Woike
According to a league source, the NBA is investigating the Oklahoma City Thunder for player absences due to injury during their nationally televised game last week against the San Antonio Spurs.
This has been a problem across the league for some time now, and the NBA is starting to crack down on teams resting players during nationally televised games.
Thunder Game Versus Spurs
Thunder vs. Spurs
GettyThe February 4th game is the game in which Oklahoma City may have broken the rules.
The Thunder and Spurs have had their battles this season. They are intense matchups, and could be a preview of the Western Conference Finals. On February 4th, the Spurs defeated the Thunder for the fourth time this season. Oklahoma City has lost 13 games this season, so just under a third have come against San Antonio.
It makes sense why that game was televised nationally, though. The two teams are in first and second place in the Western Conference, and it is a star-studded matchup. However, the Thunder were without SGA, Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, and Lu Dort in the loss.
The problem with all those players sitting on the second night of a back-to-back is that all of those players, except Jalen Williams, played the game before. The NBA is not trying to eliminate rest, but they do want teams to play their best players when a game is on national TV.
What is the NBA Rule Prohibiting Players from Resting?
Jalen Williams
GettyJalen Williams has missed multiple games with an injury.
By rule, NBA teams can not sit their star players during nationally televised games. Star players are identified as someone who has made an All-Star team or All-NBA team over the last three seasons.
Under that definition, the Thunder have two star players. They are SGA and Jalen Williams. Williams did not play either game of the back-to-back, but SGA was active in the blowout win over the Orlando Magic.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence is what the NBA is most likely taking a look at. Star players are allowed to sit if they are legitimately injured, but SGA may not have been. Now, the reigning MVP is missing extended time, so he is legitimately hurt. But the NBA is going to need further evidence and reasoning to be convinced.
Oklahoma City would not be the first team to get in trouble for the player participation penalty. Earlier this year, the Cleveland Cavaliers were fined by the NBA for the same rule. It was not the first time the Cavaliers have been fined for it, either.
There is no indication of whether or not the Thunder actually violated the policy. But the team is under investigation.