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[Saba Sports News] One of this season’s top championship contenders is reportedly under NBA investigation for a possible rules violation.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Oklahoma City Thunder—currently the frontrunner for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference—are being reviewed for a potential violation of the league’s ‘player participation policy’.
The specific game under scrutiny is OKC’s March 7 matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, in which the Thunder rested their entire starting lineup: Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The NBA introduced the player participation policy before the 2023-24 season to prevent teams from resting their star players without an “approved reason.” The rule was designed to ensure marquee players are available for fans attending games and watching nationally televised matchups.
Despite fielding a second-unit lineup, the Thunder cruised to a 107-89 victory over Portland, with Aaron Wiggins stepping up for 30 points on 13-of-26 shooting.
All five Thunder starters reached double figures, showcasing the team’s depth. Notably, the game was not part of a back-to-back set, which could factor into the league’s investigation.
With OKC firmly in control of the West’s top seed, it’s unsurprising that the team would look to manage player workloads ahead of the postseason. However, the decision may not sit well with the league—or with fans who paid to see stars like Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren in action.