PHOENIX SUNS
Phoenix Suns fined $25K by NBA for violating league’s injury reporting rules
The NBA fined the Phoenix Suns $25,000 on Saturday for violating the league’s injury reporting rules.
Phoenix failed to disclose guard Devin Booker’s participation status in an accurate and timely manner prior to Thursday night’s Game 6 of the first-round playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Booker returned from a strained right hamstring to help the Suns beat the Pelicans 115-109 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans in the series-clinching game.
He had missed the three previous contests after departing in Game 2.
The Suns went 2-1 in the three matchups Booker missed while also going 2-1 in the games he did play in — although Games 2 and 6 (1-1 record) saw the guard’s minutes limited due to the hamstring injury.
Phoenix’s All-star guard started Game 6, but did not appear in the second half until about five minutes to go in the third quarter.
Booker finished the night with 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), including a go-ahead three-pointer with under two minutes to go in the game.
He also had three assists and five rebounds.
The Suns will open the Western Conference semifinals at home against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.
Game 1 tips off at 7 p.m. from Footprint Center in Phoenix on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
