The Spurs rest players on their fifth game in a week and the NBA fines them $25,000

The NBA has fined the San Antonio Spurs $25,000 for violating the league’s player resting policy on sitting multiple healthy players on the road during their tilt with the Phoenix Suns.

Although the press release didn’t name any specific players, DeMar DeRozan, Patty Mills, and Jakob Poeltl were the only players on the injury report designated as out for rest on Saturday night.

Despite being down two starters and their top bench scorer coming into their matchup with the second-place Suns, San Antonio routed Phoenix by a score of 111-85 and led by as many as 31 points.

Nearly everyone contributed to the surprising blowout of the Suns, with Drew Eubanks picking up his second career double-double and Devin Vassell breaking out for a career-high 18 points.

While you might believe the NBA would be more lenient when it comes to resting players during an unprecedentedly condensed regular-season schedule, the league has maintained its strict stance on rest.

The Silver and Black have among the toughest remaining slates in the NBA after four positive COVID-19 tests postponed several contests and forced them into 40 games in 68 days after the All-Star Break.

Sitting players down the homestretch of the season to keep legs fresh is nothing new for head coach Gregg Popovich, and the Spurs shouldn’t be afraid to prioritize wellness with a league-high five back-to-backs ahead.