The NBA is looking into the Thunder for sitting key players against the Spurs during a nationally televised game, per a report.
SAN ANTONIO — According to a report from The Athletic’s Dan Woike, the Thunder are under investigation for sitting almost all of their main rotation players against the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 4 in San Antonio.
“According to a league source, the NBA is investigating the Oklahoma City Thunder for player absences due to injury during their nationally televised game last week against the San Antonio Spurs.”
In that game, the Thunder sat out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ajay Mitchell, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, Luguentz Dort, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein, listed as dealing with injuries and/or illness.
Before the Spurs matchup, Hartenstein, Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort, and Caruso all played in the Thunder’s win over the Magic, leading up to the game at the Frost Bank Center.
Now, the Thunder were on a back-to-back, facing the Magic in February. 3, so they can say it was load management. In addition, with soft-tissue injuries on the rise in the league, it might be tough for league offices to justify any sanctions.
Also, the Thunder’s actions did take place during a scheduled national TV broadcast.
The Spurs beat the depleted Thunder squad, 116-106, on Feb. 4.