Oklahoma City Thunder was able to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers with 18 points last Friday, but they did it without any of their five starters.
The starting lineup is led by MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but still with the other four starters all evening in their 107-89 victory.
Obviously, the thunder was ok, but the NBA is investigating the case for potentially violating the league’s policy for player participation, according to ESPN.
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Isaiah Hartenstein, #55, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, #2, Alex Caruso, #9, Luguentz Dort, #5, Jalen Williams and Adam Flagler, #14 in Oklahoma City Thunder during the game against Portland Trail Blazers on March 7, 2025 in Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
It was the second game in a back-to-back, and this week Thunder had a bump plan, including another back-to-back against Denver Nuggets and a potential NBA final matchup against Boston Celtics. (They split with Denver and beat Boston on the road.)
Saturday also starts another back-to-back for OKC against Pistons and Bucks, both of which own Playoff spots.
Thunder is 54-12, good for easy the top record at the Western conference. It’s easy to say they play the long game as they have # 1 seed all together, but squeezed. However, the NBA has started to strike down on load management for players.
It was just the second time Gilgeous-Alexander missed a game this season that was out because of what the team called “Rest.” However, OKC indicated damage to the other four starters.
Two years ago, Dalla’s Mavericks fine was fine of $ 750,000 for sitting players in a game, but it had been in a pretty clear effort to tank for a better draft election.
November 16, 2022, Washington, DC: Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles to court during the first half against Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. (Tommy Gilligan-usa Today Sports)
Bulls’ championship banners removed after injuries during the United Center -Concert
Later in 2023, the league voted in favor of a new player-participating policy that would limit teams from resting a star player during a national TV game or for tournament games in the season.
The association was also set to investigate the Philadelphia 76ers in the middle of Joel Emphid’s absence earlier this season, and they are now being looked at because of Paul George and Tyrese Maxey lack of games when their season continues to fall.
Teams are not allowed to get any players to stop playing in the long term unless they are dealing with injury.
November 16, 2022, Washington, DC: Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) responds after a first half basket against Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. (Tommy Gilligan-usa Today Sports)
The policy also says players must play in at least 65 of the 82 competition competitions on the schedule of being eligible for League awards, including MVP and All-NBA teams.
