The Atlanta Hawks were fined $100,000 by the NBA for violating the league’s player participation guidelines. The league imposed the fine after discovering that the Hawks had excluded star guard Trae Young from the team’s first game in the NBA Cup even though he was healthy enough to play.

Young missed Atlanta’s NBA Cup match against the Boston Celtics on November 12 due to the team’s right Achilles tendonitis. The Hawks earned a 117-116 victory over the Celtics at Boston’s TD Garden.

According to a statement from the league, the NBA’s investigation found that Young could have played under the policy’s medical standards. The league’s investigation included consultation with an independent doctor, according to the statement.

Atlanta is currently 7-11 this season. Young once again leads the team in points and assists this season and is currently averaging 21.9 points and 11.9 assists per game.

Since implementing the policy in 2023, the NBA has cracked down on attendance to ensure healthy stars participate fully throughout the regular season. In October, the league fined the Philadelphia 76ers $100,000 after star center Joel Embiid missed the team’s season opener.