The Brooklyn Nets chose to rest several of their players for their game against the Milwaukee Bucks last week, and the decision has led to a hefty fine.
The NBA announced on Thursday that the Nets have been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s player participation policy. An investigation, which included a review from an independent physician, determined that the Nets rested four rotation players who could have played from a medical standpoint in last Wednesday’s loss to the the Bucks.
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/lAmgjUwxZt
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 4, 2024
Spencer Dinwiddie (rest), Dorian Finney-Smith (left knee soreness), Cam Johnson (right knee sprain/injury maintenance) and Nic Claxton (left ankle sprain/injury maintenance) were all inactive for Brooklyn’s 144-122 loss to Milwaukee.
This past offseason, the NBA implemented a new player participation policy that is designed to curb so-called “load management.” The league has had a huge problem in recent years with teams resting healthy players simply to prevent them from becoming overworked. That resulted in a worse product on the court and some major frustration from fans who spent money expecting to see star players.
There are some exemptions within the player participation rules that allow for certain star players to rest, but the Nets did not meet them.
The Nets are 15-20 and in 9th place in the Eastern Conference. They have lost five straight games and 10 of their last 12.
