The NBA levied a $100,000 fine against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday for violation of the new Player Participation Policy.
At issue was a home game Dec. 27 against the Milwaukee Bucks when Nic Claxton (ankle), Spencer Dinwiddie (rest), Dorian Finney-Smith (knee), Cam Johnson (knee), Ben Simmons (back) and Lonnie Walker IV (hamstring) all were ruled out before the game.
The Nets were competitive early before fading in the fourth quarter of a 144-122 defeat.
According to the NBA, an investigation was conducted that included a review by an independent physician.
“The NBA determined that four Nets rotation players, who did not participate in the game, could have played under the medical standard in the Player Participation Policy, which was adopted prior to this season,” the NBA said in a statement.
According to the league, the new policy, which replaced the Player Resting Policy adopted before the 2017-18 season, was designed to promote player participation throughout the season.
Among the new policy’s requirements are than no more than one star player is unavailable for each game and that teams must prioritize player availability for national television and NBA in-season tournament games. There must also be a balance for star players’ absences in home and away games.
The league also wants players who are resting to be present at games they miss and be visible to fans.
–Field Level Media