NBA Fines Atlanta Hawks $100K for Violating Player Participation Policy

The league determined Trae Young could have played during a Nov. 12 NBA Cup game despite being listed with an Achilles injury.

The Atlanta Hawks were fined $100,000 after the NBA ruled they violated the Player Participation Policy by sitting Trae Young for a Nov. 12 game against the Boston Celtics.
The team cited right Achilles tendinitis as the reason for Young's absence, but an independent review determined he was medically able to play.
The policy requires star players to be available for national television and NBA Cup games unless a valid reason is approved by the league.
The Nov. 12 game, which the Hawks narrowly won 117-116, is the only game Young has missed this season; he has averaged 21.9 points and an NBA-leading 11.9 assists in 17 games.
The fine reflects the NBA's focus on enforcing new rules to limit load management and ensure fans see star players in key games.