Last week marked the final regular-season matchup between the Thunder and Spurs in San Antonio. Anticipation for the game diminished earlier that day when the Thunder revealed that MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be out until after the All-Star break due to an abdominal injury. His absence altered the game’s odds, and it was further announced that several other key players for OKC had also been declared inactive after competing against the Orlando Magic the night prior.
SEE ALSO: OKC Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers preview — Jalen Williams returns to action
Following a tough home loss to the Rockets on Saturday, OKC heads to LA with Jalen Williams returning to the lineup.
Thunder Players Inactive vs. Spurs:
- Alex Caruso — Right adductor; injury management
- Ousmane Dieng — Not with team (traded)
- Luguentz Dort — Right patellofemoral joint; inflammation
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Abdominal strain
- Isaiah Hartenstein — Right eye; corneal abrasion
- Chet Holmgren — Low back spasms
- Ajay Mitchell — Abdominal strain
- Jalen Williams — Right hamstring strain
This situation left just eight players available for the nationally televised game on ESPN. As a result, the league has initiated an investigation into OKC Thunder regarding these player absences. This news comes from Dan Woike, an LA Lakers reporter for The Athletic.
The investigation is expected to be minor, given the nature and duration of the reported injuries. SGA is set to be sidelined at least until after the All-Star game, indicating a serious condition rather than a simple strategy against the Spurs. Meanwhile, Jalen Williams is returning after a significant layoff from a hamstring injury.
Additionally, players such as Hartenstein and Mitchell have faced injuries from recent back-to-back games, leading to their exclusion from the matchup. The current state of affairs does not appear to reflect the level of strategic rest management associated with earlier eras like that of Greg Popovich.
The league is also confronting unprecedented practices around tanking, especially as teams like the Utah Jazz have engaged in questionable strategies within the remaining schedule. Recently, the OKC was scrutinized for a similar issue when all five starters rested against the Trail Blazers last season but ultimately won without them.
Triggers for an NBA Load Management Investigation:
The new mandate enforced before the 2023-2024 season outlines specific conditions under which investigations can occur:
- Limit the rest of star players to no more than one per game.
- Ensure star players are available for nationally televised and In-Season Tournament games.
- Evenly distribute “rest” absences between home and away games.
- Avoid long-term “shut down” of star players that affects game integrity.
- Have any healthy players resting present and visible to fans.
The NBA retains the authority to conduct investigations, potentially leading to fines for teams found in violation of these policies. The first offense incurs a $100,000 fine, escalating further with each subsequent violation. We will see if this investigation results in a fine for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
