(LOS ANGELES) The NBA on Friday fined the Dallas Mavericks $750,000 for resting several key players on April 7 in one of their final regular-season games against the Chicago Bulls.

“The Mavericks have violated NBA player rest regulations and have shown through public statements and actions that they want to lose this game in hopes of earning the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft,” he said. the league said in a statement.

According to Joe Dumars, NBA vice president responsible for basketball operations, the Texas franchise, owned by businessman Mark Cuban, made decisions “that have damaged the integrity of our sport.”

“They cheated with our league and our fans,” he added.

The Mavericks lost 115-112 to the Chicago Bulls. While his team still had a chance to advance to the Western Conference play-offs, “Mavs” coach Jason Kidd opted out of most of his top team members. five.

He had thus rested Kyrie Irving (recovery from an injury to the right foot), Tim Hardaway Jr. (pain in the left ankle), Josh Green (rest), Maxi Kleber (recovery from an injury to the right hamstring ) and Christian Wood (rest).

The star of the team Luka Doncic had only played the first 12 minutes of the match before remaining on the bench until the end of the match.

Dallas finished 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 38 wins and 44 losses.

This isn’t the first time Mark Cuban has been disciplined: In 2018, he was fined $600,000 for admitting the Mavericks were “tanking,” meaning intentionally losing in the game. hoping to get the best draft pick possible.