Sources: NBA won’t rescind Embiid’s 3rd flagrant

The NBA is investigating the Dallas Mavericks for sitting several healthy players for their game against the Chicago Bulls on Friday. The Mavs were still alive for a spot in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament, but chose to sit several regular rotation players. Postgame, Dallas head coach Jason Kidd said the team chose to “go in another direction” as opposed to chasing a postseason spot.

The Mavericks ultimately lost to the Bulls and were eliminated from postseason contention. During the game, Dallas pulled the handful of rotation players did play, as the game went along. This included star player Luka Doncic, who played only briefly into the second quarter.

The NBA statement reads:

“The NBA commenced an investigation today into the facts and circumstances surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ roster decisions and game conduct with respect to last night’s Chicago Bulls-Mavericks game, including the motivations behind those actions.”

It’s unclear what sort of punishment could be levied against Dallas. In the past, the NBA has fined franchises for sitting healthy players in games. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was fined in the past for openly saying his team was better off to tank for draft position than trying to win games.

Jamal Murray was limited by a right elbow injury during the Denver Nuggets Game 6 blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The good news for the Nuggets is that the injury doesn’t seem to be carrying over to the do-or-die Game 7.

After practice ahead of Game 7 in Denver, Murray stayed late to get up extra shots. Nuggets coach Michael Malone said that Murray “feels great” and that his star guard “looked very hungry today”.

“Look like he hadn’t eaten in two days,” Malone said about Murray. “So hopefully that carries over tomorrow. I hope he doesn’t eat until tomorrow until 6:00 p.m.”