The NBA fined the Mavericks $750,000 on Friday for conduct deemed detrimental to the league. The penalty stems from the club’s decision to rest key players in an elimination game against the Bulls on April 7.
“The Mavericks violated the league’s player resting policy and demonstrated through actions and public statements the organization's desire to lose the game in order to improve its chances of keeping its first round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft”, according to an official release by the NBA.
The Mavericks opted not to play Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr, Maxi Kleber or Christian Wood. Star guard Luka Doncic only played in the first quarter and the first few moments of the second quarter before sitting the rest of the game.
