The NBA has initiated an investigation into the Thunder over a potential violation of the league’s player participation policy, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday night.
The scrutiny arises from the Thunder’s March 7 game against the Trail Blazers in which they rested all five starters: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Despite the absence of their entire starting five, the Thunder secured a 107-89 victory, with Aaron Wiggins leading the effort with 30 points and Jaylin Williams recording his first career triple-double (10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists).
The NBA’s player participation policy, which has become a greater point of emphasis in recent years, seeks to ensure that teams do not rest multiple star players during the same game — especially during nationally televised matchups.
The Thunder sat more than one star against the 12th-place Blazers.
The policy also stresses a balance between resting players during home or away games due to fan experience.
This investigation is part of a broader initiative by the league to monitor and enforce participation policies.
Recently, the league fined the Utah Jazz $100,000 for resting star forward Lauri Markkanen for multiple games.
Additionally, the NBA is reviewing the Philadelphia 76ers for the recent absences of Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, ESPN reported.
