NBA Fines Mavericks After Resting Players in Key Game

DALLAS, TX — The Dallas Mavericks have been fined $750,000 by the NBA for “conduct detrimental to the league” after they investigated the Mavs for the decision to rest starters during a key game on April 7 that eliminated Dallas from playoff contention.

In a game where the Mavs lost to the Chicago Bulls 115-112, the Mavericks rested All-Star Guard Kyrie Irving, shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., small forward Josh Green, power forward/center Christian Wood, and power forward/center Maxi Kleber. The Mavs' most notable player, Luka Doncic, played the first 12 minutes and 35 seconds before he sat the rest of the game.

Head Coach Jason Kidd cited an “organizational decision” before the game. That decision could only come from the owner Mark Cuban or the general manager Nico Harrison. According to a news release from the NBA, they determined from their investigation conducted the next day that the Mavericks “violated the NBA’s player resting policy and demonstrated through actions and public statements the organization’s desire to lose the game in order to improve the chances of retaining its first-round pick” in the NBA Draft.

"The Dallas Mavericks' decision to restrict key players from fully participating in an elimination game last Friday against Chicago undermined the integrity of our sport," Joe Dumars, NBA executive vice president/head of basketball operations, said in a statement from the league office. "The Mavericks' actions failed our fans and our league."