The Brooklyn Nets‘ load management stunt in Indiana cost the organization a $25,000 fine for failing to comply with the league policies governing injury reporting.
While the NBA did not specifically cite the reason for the fine, it came on the heels of the Nets resting eight of their top players, led by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Joe Harris, Nic Claxton, Royce O’Neale, and TJ Warren also sat out either due to injuries or personal reasons.
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said that they felt comfortable with the decision at that time.
“I think everything that is reported today has been documented. And so whether that is we know that Seth and Joe, they had offseason ankle injury, there’s no argument to that. Nic didn’t play last game because he had hamstring tightness, there’s no argument to that. Kevin is leading the league in minutes, there’s no argument to that. Royce has a personal reason he’s missing the next game, there’s no argument to that.
So it’s just a combination that is adding up at the same time. But we feel totally comfortable as an organization that we put the best product out on the floor as many times as possible and we’ll continue to do that. It just so happened tonight is more than one, two or three people.”
Jacque Vaughn via NY Post’s Brian Lewis
True enough, despite the Nets being down to only eight players, the Nets still put out a winning product on the floor. Cam Thomas’ career-high 33 points led the Nets’ bench mob to an inspiring 136-133 win against the Pacers that made Durant proud.
Durant and the rest returned the next game as the Nets continued their stellar run with a 112-110 victory over the shorthanded Washington Wizards, their eighth win in nine games.
Among their regular rotation players, only Curry is listed as questionable for Friday’s road game in Toronto.
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