NBA Announces $100K Punishment for Hawks Over Trae Young Decision
The NBA is currently in the middle of group play for the second Emirates NBA Cup, which was first implemented in the 2023-24 season. The in-season tournament was created with hopes of generating more fan interest in the regular season, but also to incentivize teams and players to take the regular season a bit more seriously.
While the league was hopeful that this tournament -- along with other rules -- would help limit the amount of games star players sit out, it's still an ongoing issue.
A prime example of this is the Atlanta Hawks, who received a $100,000 fine for not playing star guard Trae Young in the team's NBA Cup game on Nov. 12 against the Boston Celtics. According to a release by the league, it was concluded that Young could have played despite being held out by the team.
"Following an investigation, including review by an independent physician," read the statement. "The NBA determined that the Hawks held Young out of a game that he could have played in under the medical standard in the Policy. The organization’s conduct violated the Policy, which is intended to promote participation in the NBA’s regular season."
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11).
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The league came to this conclusion even though the Hawks had Young on their injury report due to tendinitis in his right Achilles.
The Hawks (7-11) ended up winning 117-116 against the defending champion Celtics, and that game is still the only one that Young has missed this season. On the year, Young is averaging 21.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and a career-high 11.9 assists.
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