The NBA has slapped the Los Angeles Clippers with a hefty $25,000 fine for failing to provide accurate injury reports for several players ahead of a crucial game, as announced on the league’s official NBA Communications X account.
The league’s action comes in response to the Clippers’ failure to properly notify about the availability of key players, including Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Norman Powell, during their April 14th matchup against the Houston Rockets, which marked the last game of the 2023–2024 regular season.
Despite the absence of Powell, Westbrook, and George from the lineup, the Clippers neglected to list them on their injury report as required by NBA regulations, which mandate teams to promptly disclose player absences and injury details before scheduled games.
Los Angeles Clippers Also Missed Kawhi Leonard and James Harden
Per NBA rules available on NBA.com, teams are obligated to submit injury reports by specific deadlines, with different timelines for single games and back-to-back matchups. Failure to comply with these guidelines can result in fines, as seen in the case of the Clippers.
In addition to the aforementioned players, the Clippers were also without Kawhi Leonard and James Harden for their season finale against the Houston Rockets. However, the team managed to notify the league about their absence, highlighting inconsistencies in injury reporting.
James Harden’s limited appearances in recent games, coupled with ongoing concerns about Kawhi Leonard’s knee injury, add further uncertainty to the Clippers’ postseason aspirations.
Leonard’s availability for the upcoming series against the Dallas Mavericks remains uncertain, potentially impacting the team’s playoff trajectory.