NBA says Hawks violated policy by playing Trae Young against Celtics

Celtics

The medical standard is “intended to promote participation in the NBA regular season.”

By TIM REYNOLDS, Associated Press

November 27, 2024 | 9:40 am

The NBA fined the Atlanta Hawks $100,000 on Tuesday after an investigation revealed that guard Trae Young could have played in a game. NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics on November 12.

The Hawks listed Young on their injury report that night as out due to tendonitis in his right Achilles tendon. Atlanta still won the game 117-116.

The issue, the N.B.A said, was that the Hawks were in violation of the league’s player participation policy — which focuses primarily on what the league defines as star players, a group Young would qualify for since he was an All-Star selection last season. According to league rule, “unless a team demonstrates an approved reason for a star player not to participate in a game,” a team must have the star players “for all nationally televised and NBA In-Season Tournament games.”

“After an investigation, including review by an independent physician, the NBA determined that the Hawks held Young out of a game in which he could have played based on the medical standard in the policy,” the league said. “The organization’s conduct violated its policies, which are intended to promote participation in the NBA regular season.”

That game against the Celtics is the only one Young has missed this season.

Kings’ Brown is fined

Also Tuesday, the NBA fined Sacramento coach Mike Brown $35,000 “for aggressively pursuing a game official during live play.”

Brown rushed to referee Scott Twardoski midway through the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets after being angered by a no-call. The Kings lost the game 108-103.