The NBA fined the Atlanta Hawks $100,000 for holding Trae Young out of a game earlier this month.
Young missed an NBA Cup matchup against the Boston Celtics on Nov. 12. The Hawks ruled out the All-Star guard due to a right Achilles tendinitis injury. It was the second of a back-to-back and Atlanta’s fourth game in six days.
The league doesn’t believe Young had a legitimate injury. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the NBA fined the Hawks $100,000 for violating its player participation policy.
“NBA says its investigation — including review by an independent physician — determined that the Hawks held Young out of a game that he could have played in,” Charania wrote on social media.
Despite missing their All-Star guard, the Hawks pulled off a 117-116 upset at TD Garden behind 28 points from Dyson Daniels. Jalen Johnson posted a triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Larry Nance Jr. scored 19 points off the bench.
Young has played every other game this season for the Hawks, who are currently tied with the Chicago Bulls for the Eastern Conference’s final play-in spot at 7-11. The 26-year-old is averaging 21.9 points and league-high 11.9 assists per game in his seventh season.
The NBA implemented the player participation policy before the 2023-24 season to deter load management. The rules state that teams “must ensure that star players
are available for national TV and In-Season Tournament games.”
Along with beating the Celtics, the Hawks defeated the Washington Wizards in NBA Cup action. However, they fell 136-122 to the Bulls on Friday despite Young registering 25 points and 13 assists.
Atlanta can advance to the knockout round by defeating the other Group C powerhouse. The Hawks play their final group game on Friday against the 17-1 Cleveland Cavaliers, who suffered their only loss in an NBA Cup game against Boston last week.
Related: NBA Announces $100,000 Fine For Hornets Star LaMelo Ball