The NBA does not only monitor “load management” since it is also capable of sanctioning a team which plays a player who should not have been in uniform. The proof with the Sixers who suffered a $100,000 fine for aligning Joel Embiid against the Thunder. That evening, everyone was surprised to see him in between.
Why are the Sixers being punished? Quite simply because at first, they had announced that their home side would not play the match. If a player is considered “out” on the injured list, he cannot be dressed the same evening.
Why does the NBA give them such a high punishment? Because the Sixers have a liability in the area.
The proof: at the beginning of February, these same Sixers were fined $75,000 due to Joel Embiid's last minute package in Denver! Unlike the sanction imposed this Friday, the 2023 MVP had not been announced as “out” before the meeting. At the time, the NBA did not consider it “load management” because Joel Embiid was indeed injured.
