NBA team, Oklahoma City Thunder, are facing league scrutiny after resting a large portion of their roster during a nationally televised matchup, triggering a potential violation of the NBA’s player participation policy.
The NBA has opened an investigation into Oklahoma City after the franchise listed 10 players as unavailable in its Feb. 4 contest against the San Antonio Spurs, a game broadcast on ESPN, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike. The Thunder ultimately dressed just eight available players in the 116-108 defeat, raising concerns regarding competitive integrity and league rules surrounding star player availability.
According to a league source, the NBA is investigating the Oklahoma City Thunder for player absences due to injury during their nationally televised game last week against the San Antonio Spurs.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 9, 2026
The league implemented updated participation guidelines in 2023 designed to protect high-profile matchups, especially those featured on national broadcasts and during in-season tournament play. Under current NBA policy, teams must ensure that any designated “star player” — defined as a player who has earned an All-Star or All-NBA selection within the previous three seasons, is made available whenever reasonably possible.
Oklahoma City’s absence list included multiple players fitting that classification. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who earned NBA MVP honors, All-NBA First Team recognition, and an All-Star selection, missed the contest with an abdominal strain. Jalen Williams, who has also earned All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honors, was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Additionally, Chet Holmgren, named to his first All-Star team this season, was ruled out due to lower back spasms.
The Thunder’s lengthy injury report also featured Alex Caruso, Lugentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Ajay Mitchell, Nikola Topić, Ousmane Dieng and Thomas Sorber. With such a depleted lineup, Oklahoma City relied heavily on role players, with Kenrich Williams leading the team with 25 points in the loss.
Beyond the star player policy, the league also evaluates whether roster decisions could be viewed as “affecting the integrity of the game,” particularly when absences occur against top-tier opponents.
Potential penalties for violating player participation rules are significant. The league can issue a $100,000 fine for a first violation, $250,000 for a second offense, and escalating penalties that increase by $1 million for each additional violation.
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