THE NBA has come down hard on the Atlanta Hawks after a decision relating to Trae Young.
The league announced their punishment late Tuesday night.
GettyThe Atlanta Hawks have been fined for a decision relating to Trae Young[/caption]
ReutersYoung didn’t feature in an NBA Cup clash against the Boston Celtics earlier this month[/caption]
Young, 26, was held of out a game against the Boston Celtics on November 12.
The NBA investigated the matter and determined that Young was healthy enough to have played.
And they handed the Atlanta Hawks $100,000 for violating the league’s player participation policy.
The league has become stricter on players missing nationally televised games to manage their loads.
The November 12 clash was also an Emirates NBA Cup fixture, which led to the NBA’s increased scrutiny.
“Following an investigation, including review by an independent physician, 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 league said in a statement.
“The organization’s conduct violated the policy, which is intended to promote participation in the NBA’s regular season.”
Young was ruled out of the game by the Hawks, who said he was dealing with right Achilles tendinitis.
He missed only the Celtics game and returned three days later to face the Washington Wizards.
Young has played in 17 of Atlanta’s 18 games to begin the season.
Atlanta won the contest 117-116 despite Young’s absence.
The Hawks now face a $250,000 penalty if they breach the policy for a second time.
And any subsequent breaking of rules would result in a $1 million each time.
The league is keen to protect the NBA Cup and wants all of its stars playing in the new tournament.
They have just agreed a mega sponsorship deal with airline Emirates.
How the NBA Cup works
The NBA Cup returned for a second season this year with the finals once again set to take place in Las Vegas.
The 30 teams were split into six groups of five teams each with games taking place on Tuesdays and Fridays from November 12 to December 3.
The six group winners and two best wild cards advance to a quarterfinals stage on December 10 and 11.
And the final four head to Las Vegas for the semifinals on December 14 and the final on December 17.
All games count towards the team’s regular-season record, apart from the championship game.
And the rights for the latter stages of the tournament are part of Amazon Prime’s $1.8-billion-a-year deal starting next season.
This year’s final in Las Vegas takes place on December 17 live on ESPN.
Richard Jefferson will step up to the lead broadcast team to call the game alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the reigning and inaugural NBA Cup champions.
LeBron James led his team to victory against the Indiana Pacers in last year’s championship game in Las Vegas.
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/12975724/nba-trae-young-atlanta-hawks-fine-punishment-decision/