NBA hits Hawks with big fine over handling of Trae Young
Dec 27, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) dribbles the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Hawks held Trae Young out of their NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics earlier this month, and a league investigation has determined that the absence was not related to injury.
The NBA announced on Tuesday that the Hawks have been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s player participation policy on Nov. 12. Young missed that game — a 117-116 win over the Boston Celtics — with what the Hawks called Achilles tendonitis.
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/Bu0A3GwFSG
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 26, 2024
Young was one of six Hawks players who did not play in the game, which was Atlanta’s first of the NBA Cup.
The game on Nov. 12 was the only one Young has missed this season. He is averaging a double-double with 21.9 points and 11.9 assists per game through 17 contests.
The NBA in recent years has tried to address the league-wide problem of star players sitting out regular-season games for rest purposes. Another team was also hit with a massive fine this year over their handling of a star player.
