The Atlanta Hawks are feeling the sting of a $100,000 fine handed down by the NBA after violating the league’s player participation policy, the league announced in a press release.
The fine was imposed after an investigation into star guard Trae Young’s absence from Atlanta’s NBA Cup game on November 12th against the Boston Celtics.
Trae Young’s Absence Raises Red Flags
Trae Young, the Hawks’ electrifying point guard, missed the NBA Cup clash due to what the team listed as right Achilles tendinitis. Notably, it was the only game Young has missed all season, and while the injury was real, the NBA’s independent physician review determined that Young could have suited up and played after having two days off prior to the game. The league concluded that Atlanta’s decision did not meet the medical standard outlined in the policy, prompting the $100K penalty for a first-time offense.
Brad Rowland of Locked on Hawks provided some additional insight, pointing out that while Young has been managing the Achilles issue for much of the season, the decision to rest him in this game drew particular attention because Young wasn’t even listed on the injury report for the Hawks’ subsequent matchup. This inconsistency likely added to the league’s determination that a violation had occurred.
Understanding the Player Participation Policy
The player participation policy, introduced at the beginning of the 2023/24 season, aims to ensure that the league’s biggest stars are available for fans during regular-season games, especially during nationally televised contests and high-stakes NBA Cup games. Under this policy, a league investigation is triggered whenever a player classified as a “star” misses a nationally broadcast game or NBA Cup fixture without an approved medical reason.
Trae Young falls into the league’s “star” criteria, as he has been named to an All-Star or All-NBA team within the past three seasons. With the stakes high for such players to participate in marquee matchups, the policy enforces stricter standards, especially when it comes to sitting out during big games.
The policy outlines a tiered fine structure for violations-the Hawks’ current $100K fine is the penalty for a first infraction. Any further breach of the policy this season could cost Atlanta $250K, meaning that the team will need to be particularly cautious moving forward.
A Warning Shot for the Hawks and the NBA
The message from the NBA is loud and clear: ensuring the stars are present and healthy for the league’s most anticipated games is a priority, and teams will face consequences if they fall short of that standard. While the Hawks may have been protecting their star from aggravating an ongoing issue, the NBA’s ruling implies that, given Young’s condition and rest period, he could have taken the floor.
With this fine serving as a stern warning, the Hawks and other teams across the league will likely need to reevaluate their approach when deciding to rest key players. For now, Atlanta will need to put this costly incident behind them, while also ensuring Trae Young remains available to shine on the NBA’s biggest stages.