The NBA has opened an investigation into whether the Oklahoma City Thunder violated the league’s player participation policy during a 107-89 win at home over the Portland Trail Blazers on March 7, according to ESPN.

During the game in question, the Thunder sat their entire starting five, as well as key reserve Cason Wallace, against the lottery-bound Blazers. Here was the injury report for the game:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Out (Rest)
• Cason Wallace: Out (Knee)
• Jalen Williams: Out (Wrist)
• Luguentz Dort: Out (Right Patellofemoral Soreness)
• Chet Holmgren: Out (Lower Leg)
• Isaiah Hartenstein: Out (Nasal Fracture)

All but Holmgren played in the team’s prior game on March 5, a win over the Memphis Grizzlies, and all six suited up in the team’s next game, a win over the Denver Nuggets on March 9.

Ahead of the 2023-24 season, the league added a new PPP aimed at combating load management and ensuring that stars are available for national TV games. Here were the key mandates:

1. Rest no more than one star player from a game.
2. Make star players available for nationally televised and in-season tournament games.
3. Balance one-game “rest” absences in home games vs. road games.
4. Avoid any long-term “shutdown” that could affect game integrity.
5. Have healthy resting players present and visible to fans.

The Thunder have two “star players” under that criteria: Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams, who was named to his first All-Star Game this season. Both sat out against the Blazers, and Gilgeous-Alexander was officially listed as a rest day. Thus, the league is likely investigating Williams’ wrist condition.

Earlier this month, the Utah Jazz were fined $100,000 for violating the league’s PPP for how they managed Lauri Markkanen, who missed games due to injury management. Immediately after the fine, Markkanen played in the next game.

If the league concludes the Thunder broke the rules, they could also face a $100,000 fine for a first violation.