Report: NBA investigating Thunder's use of players

Field Level Media|published: Sat 15th March, 14:48 2025

Mar 7, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Members of the Oklahoma City Thunder watch as their team play against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The NBA is looking into why the Oklahoma City Thunder didn't play their five starters in a game March 7 against the Portland Trail Blazers, ESPN reported.

The game in question was won 107-89 by the Thunder, who didn't start Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren or Jalen Williams. The NBA is looking to see whether the Thunder violated the league's player participation policy, per ESPN.

Gilgeous-Alexander, a leading MVP candidate, was listed as being out with rest. Dort sat out with a sore right knee, Holmgren was out with a lower right leg contusion and Hartenstein with a broken nose, according to the team. Reserve Cason Wallace also didn't play, reportedly due to a right knee contusion, and Williams was said to have a right wrist sprain.

In their place, Aaron Wiggins scored 30 points, Alex Caruso added 17 and Jaylin Williams had a triple-double to lead the Thunder, who have the best record in the Western Conference. Portland is in 12th place in the conference.

Earlier this week, the league fined the Utah Jazz $100,000 after star forward Lauri Markkanen was held out of their contest on March 5 against the Washington Wizards -- and other games.

The Jazz have the worst record in the Western Conference, and better than only the Washington Wizards, which means that if the season ended now, the Jazz would have better odds to win the NBA draft lottery.

--Field Level Media