Dallas Mavericks rested some of their key players for the match against Chicago Bulls on Friday while still in the reckoning for the play-in tournament, and it has led to NBA investigating the Dallas team's actions.
Kyrie Irving, down with a foot injury, was among the players who sat out while Luka Doncic departed in the first minute of the second quarter.
The Mavericks had a 13-point advantage at half-time but let it slip, which saw the Bulls recovering to win 115-112.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (left ankle), Maxi Kleber (right hamstring), Josh Green (rest) and Christian Wood (rest) were also held out by the team despite the contest being a must-win to keep Dallas' play-in hopes alive.
"The NBA commenced an investigation today into the facts and circumstances surrounding the Dallas Mavericks' roster decisions and game conduct with respect to last night's Chicago Bulls-Mavericks game, including the motivations behind those actions," league spokesman Mike Bass said Saturday.
The second half consisted of Dallas playing reserves -- some who have seen little action this season -- before the elimination from the play-in race became a reality.
"It's not so much waving the white flag," Dallas coach Jason Kidd said after the setback. "It's decisions sometimes are hard in this business. We're trying to build a championship team. With this decision, this is maybe a step back, but hopefully it leads to going forward."
(AI image)
Kidd termed the situation as an "organizational decision" that was made by owner Mark Cuban and general manager Nico Harrison.
Also at play is Dallas' protected first-round draft pick. If the pick is a top 10 choice, the Mavericks retain it. If it is No. 11 or lower in the draft, it goes to the New York Knicks as part of the compensation in a 2019 deal for Kristaps Porzingis, who now plays for the Washington Wizards.
Cuban was fined $600,000 in 2018 for publicly admitting the Mavericks were tanking ahead of a draft in which Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III and Doncic were among the top prospects. Dallas selected fifth on draft night and took Trae Young and traded him to the Atlanta Hawks, who sent third-overall pick Doncic to the Mavericks.
The Mavericks have also announced that Doncic (left thigh injury recovery), Reggie Bullock (rest), Irving, Green, Hardaway and Kleber will miss Sunday's home fixtures against San Antonio Spurs.
(With agency inputs)
