The Brooklyn Nets will pay the sum of $25,000 “for failing to comply with league policies governing injury reporting,” the NBA announced Thursday.
The fine comes after the Nets rested 8 players including Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on Dec. 10, the second night of a back-to-back for Brooklyn.
Other players rested by the Nets were Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton, Seth Curry, Royce O’Neale, Joe Harris and T.J. Warren.
The Nets won their game over Indiana despite missing their entire rotation.
At the time, coach Jacque Vaughn said the Nets were able to do what they did because the injuries had been previously documented.
“I think everything that’s been reported today has been documented,” Vaughn said prior to the game against the Pacers last week. “And so we know that Seth [Curry] and Joe [Harris] had offseason ankle [surgeries], there’s no argument to that. Nic [Claxton] didn’t play last game because he had hamstring tightness, there’s no argument to that. Kevin’s leading the league in minutes, there’s no argument to that. Royce [O’Neale] had a personal reason, he’s missing the next game, there’s no argument to that.”
Vaughn also offered an apology to fans in Indiana who had paid to watch Durant play — only to learn hours prior to the game that he wouldn’t be on the floor.
“I would say to that fan that I’m looking out for Kevin Durant’s future,” Vaughn said. “I’m looking out for the organization’s future. And really apologize if this was the game you chose. But he’s given all that he’s had in every game since the beginning of this season.”
