The Dallas Mavericks have been fined $750,000 by the NBA for resting key players against the Chicago Bulls despite being in play-off contention.
In a statement, the NBA said they had shown “a desire” to lose in order to improve their chances of getting a top-10 pick in this summer’s draft.
Mavericks were defeated 115-112 by the Bulls on 7 April.
SPONSOR AD
Gombe United dim Nasarawa Utd’s NPFL survival dream
MTN, NPFL, La Liga announce 2023 Edition of U-15 Youth Football League
Dallas said Kyle Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr and Maxi Kleber were all nursing injuries while Josh Green and Christian Wood were being rested.
All five players – plus Luka Doncic, who played only 12 minutes fielding a weakened side in order to lose and improve their draft chances.