The NBA has announced that the Dallas Mavericks, who fielded a controversially poor team in their loss to the Chicago Bulls earlier this month, have been fined $1.1 million.
The Mavericks’ sudden decision to sit out five important players in a game they needed to win to have a chance at making the playoffs was deemed by the NBA to be “conduct detrimental to the league.”
NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars stated, “The Dallas Mavericks’ decision to restrict key players from fully participating in an elimination game against Chicago last Friday undermined the integrity of our sport.”
“The Mavericks betrayed our league and our fans with their actions.”
The Mavericks made their decision, according to the NBA, to increase their chances of keeping a first-round pick in the 2023 draft.
As part of the 2019 trade for Kristaps Porzingis, the Mavericks still owe the New York Knicks a first-round pick.