Report: NBA investigating Thunder's use of players

Sun, 16 Mar 2025

Report: NBA investigating Thunder's use of players

Field Level Media
16 Mar 2025, 00:39 GMT+10

Report: NBA investigating Thunder's use of players

(Photo credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images)

The NBA is looking into why the Oklahoma City Thunder didn't play their five starters in a game March 7 against the Portland Trail Blazers, ESPN reported.

The game in question was won 107-89 by the Thunder, who didn't start Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren or Jalen Williams. The NBA is looking to see whether the Thunder violated the league's player participation policy, per ESPN.

Gilgeous-Alexander, a leading MVP candidate, was listed as being out with rest. Dort sat out with a sore right knee, Holmgren was out with a lower right leg contusion and Hartenstein with a broken nose, according to the team. Reserve Cason Wallace also didn't play, reportedly due to a right knee contusion, and Williams was said to have a right wrist sprain.

In their place, Aaron Wiggins scored 30 points, Alex Caruso added 17 and Jaylin Williams had a triple-double to lead the Thunder, who have the best record in the Western Conference. Portland is in 12th place in the conference.

Earlier this week, the league fined the Utah Jazz $100,000 after star forward Lauri Markkanen was held out of their contest on March 5 against the Washington Wizards -- and other games.

The Jazz have the worst record in the Western Conference, and better than only the Washington Wizards, which means that if the season ended now, the Jazz would have better odds to win the NBA draft lottery.

--Field Level Media

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to San Jose Sun.

More Information

null in null

US Sports

Section

Nets G Cam Thomas suffers season-ending hamstring injury

Nets G Cam Thomas suffers season-ending hamstring injury

(Photo credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images) Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas suffered a left hamstring strain during the team's Thursday...

Report: NBA investigating Thunder's use of players

Report: NBA investigating Thunder's use of players

(Photo credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images) The NBA is looking into why the Oklahoma City Thunder didn't play their five starters in...

Golden moment: MLB award winners to wear special patch

Golden moment: MLB award winners to wear special patch

(Photo credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images) All major league players have a patch on the back of their jerseys, at the neck and above...

Injury-plagued Sixers, Mavericks look to escape doldrums

Injury-plagued Sixers, Mavericks look to escape doldrums

(Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images) Both the Philadelphia 76ers and host Dallas Mavericks come into their matinee matchup on Sunday...

MLB's top 10 prospects: Roki Sasaki beefs up Dodgers' rotation

MLB's top 10 prospects: Roki Sasaki beefs up Dodgers' rotation

(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) Deciding it is time for high-upside young talent to arrive is a means for teams to rise...

Rangers RHP Jon Gray fractures wrist on comebacker

$Rangers RHP Jon Gray fractures wrist on comebacker$

(Photo credit: David Richard-Imagn Images) Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray sustained a fractured right wrist after being struck...

Business

Section

Virgin Group aims to raise $900M for cross-channel rail venture

Virgin Group to raise $900 million for rail service bid, company says

LONDON, U.K.: Virgin Group is seeking to raise $900 million to fund its plan to launch cross-channel rail services, positioning itself...

Boeing's February deliveries surge to 44, up from 27 last year

Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from one year earlier

SEATTLE, Washington: Boeing saw a significant increase in aircraft deliveries in February, reporting 44 planes delivered compared to...

Southwest ends free checked bags, introduces new fees

At Southwest Airlines, checked bags will no longer fly for free

DALLAS, Texas: Southwest Airlines will start charging passengers for checked bags, ending a long-standing policy that set it apart...

U.S. stocks rally hard despite drop in consumer sentiment

Dow Jones jumps 675 points as Wall Street rebounds

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rallied hard on Friday, boosted by strong rises around the world. Investors shrugged off a decline...

Maserati cancels electric MC20 plans over low demand

MILAN, Italy: Maserati has scrapped plans for an electric version of its MC20 sports car, citing low expected demand for the high-performance...

Volkswagen to slash 1,600 jobs at Cariad by year-end

Volkswagen to lay off 1,600 staff at Cariad software unit

BERLIN, Germany: Volkswagen is set to cut 1,600 jobs at its Cariad software division by the end of the year, affecting nearly 30 percent...

Movie Review

Dune (2021)