Starting in 2023, NBA rules dictate that teams make sure star players are available for seasonal and nationally televised tournament games that presumably draw the most fan interest. The league defines a “star player” as one who has been named to an All-Star or All-NBA over the past three seasons.
(Subscribe to Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube)The Thunder-Spurs game on February 4 was televised on ESPN. Players listed as absent for Oklahoma City that night included:
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Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal distension)
Chet Holmgren (lower back spasms)
Alex Caruso (right adductor strain)
Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain)
Lugentz Dort (right patellofemoral joint, inflammation)
Isaiah Hartenstein (right eye, corneal abrasion)
Ajay Mitchell (abdominal distension)
Nikola Topić (surgical recovery)
Ousmane Dieng (out of the team)
Thomas Sorber (right ACL, surgical recovery)
The Thunder managed to field eight players in the 116-108 loss to the Spurs. Three Oklahoma City players scored 20 or more points, led by Kenrich Williams’ 25.
Gilgeous-Alexander (NBA MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Star) and Williams (All-NBA Third Team, All-Star) fit the definition of “star player.” Holmgren was named to his first NBA All-Star team this season.
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Williams has appeared in just 24 games this season, while Hartenstein (28) and Caruso (34) have also played fewer than 35.
Additionally, leaving out so many players, including stars, against San Antonio, which currently has the second-best record in the NBA at 36-16, could be seen as “affecting the integrity of the game,” something the league also takes into account in its rules regarding player absences.
(Get more Thunder news: Oklahoma City team feed)
The Thunder face possible fines if the team is deemed to have committed violations of league rules. The sanctions include a fine of $100,000 for a first offense, $250,000 for a second offense and an increase of $1 million for each subsequent offense.
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Gilgeous-Alexander, Mitchell, Sorber and Topić are listed as absent for Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder have announced that Gilgeous-Alexander will be sidelined at least until the All-Star break due to his abdominal injury. He last played on February 3 against the Orlando Magic.
Despite those injuries and absences, the Thunder still lead the NBA with a 40-13 record. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games.