Brooklyn Nets Fined After Sitting Kevin Durant & Seven Others

NBA: Brooklyn Nets at Indiana Pacers
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets have been fined $25,000 for not complying with league policies regarding injury reporting.

The fine came after the Nets rested eight players on the second game of a back-to-back matchup on December 10th, including star players Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons, T.J. Warren, Joe Harris, Royce O’Neale, Nic Claxton and Seth Curry. New head coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned before the game against the Indiana Pacers that the NBA was aware of the “injuries,” but reportedly the team did not properly record them in accordance with league policy.

“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.”

Kevin Durant was supposed to be playing but just mere hours before the Nets game against the Pacers, he was ruled out.

“I would say to that fan that I’m looking out for Kevin Durant’s future,” Vaughn said, addressing fans disappointed they would not be seeing Durant play. “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.”

The Nets went on to beat the Pacers despite not having their top eight players for a 136-133 victory. This was one win on the team’s current four-game winning streak. The Nets are 17-12 on the season, which makes them the fourth seed in the eastern conference.

Tags:

Categorized: