NBA investigating why Thunder sat all five starters for same game: report

The Oklahoma City Thunder were capable to decision the Portland Trail Blazers by 18 points past Friday, but they did it without immoderate of their 5 starters.

The starting lineup is led by MVP favourite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, yet he, on with the different 4 starters, each had the nighttime disconnected successful their 107-89 victory.

Clearly, the Thunder were OK, but the NBA is investigating the substance for perchance violating the league's player-participation policy, 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 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the crippled against the Portland Trail Blazers connected March 7, 2025 astatine Paycom Center successful Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  (Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

It was the 2nd crippled of a back-to-back, and this week, the Thunder had a stout schedule, including different back-to-back against the Denver Nuggets and a imaginable NBA Finals matchup against the Boston Celtics. (They divided with Denver and bushed Boston connected the road.)

Saturday besides starts different back-to-back for OKC against the Pistons and Bucks, some of whom ain playoff spots.

The Thunder are 54-12, bully for easy the apical grounds successful the Western Conference. It's casual to accidental they are playing the agelong game, arsenic they person the No. 1 effect each but clinched. However, the NBA has begun to ace down connected load absorption for players.

It was conscionable the 2nd clip Gilgeous-Alexander missed a crippled this season, who was retired owed to what the squad called "rest." However, OKC did database injuries for the different 4 starters.

Two years ago, the Dallas Mavericks were fined $750,000 for sitting players successful a game, but that had been successful a alternatively wide effort to vessel for a amended draught pick.

Nov. 16, 2022, Washington, D.C.: Oklahoma City Thunder defender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles up the tribunal during the archetypal fractional against the Washington Wizards astatine Capital One Arena. (Tommy Gilligan-USA Today Sports)

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Later successful 2023, the league voted successful favour of a caller player-participation policy, which would restrict teams from resting a prima subordinate during a nationally televised crippled oregon for the in-season tourney games.

The relation was besides acceptable to analyse the Philadelphia 76ers amid Joel Embiid's lack earlier this season, and they are present being looked astatine owed to Paul George and Tyrese Maxey missing games arsenic their play continues to falter.

Teams are not allowed to person immoderate players halt playing semipermanent unless they are dealing with injury. 

Nov. 16, 2022, Washington, D.C.: Oklahoma City Thunder defender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts aft a first-half handbasket against the Washington Wizards astatine Capital One Arena. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)

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The argumentation besides states that players indispensable play successful astatine slightest 65 of the 82 regular-season contests connected the docket to beryllium eligible for league awards, including MVP and All-NBA teams. 

Fox News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.

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