NBA opens investigation into Mavericks after Dallas sits key players against Bulls

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The NBA has opened an investigation into the Dallas Mavericks over its apparent tanking of Friday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls. 

"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," league spokesman Mike Bass said.

(L to R) Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. sit court side during the game against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center on April 7, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.  (Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

On Friday, the Mavericks announced that Kyrie Irving and four major contributors would sit out the game against the Bulls. 

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Head coach Jason Kidd said star Luka Doncic would play just one quarter, and the four-time All-Star was pulled from the game after committing a foul early in the second quarter.  

Entering Friday’s game, Dallas still had a slim chance of securing a spot in the NBA’s play-in tournament with just two games to play, but without its key players, the Mavericks lost to the Bulls, eliminating Dallas from postseason contention. 

Jason Kidd head coach of the Dallas Mavericks on the sidelines during the game against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center on April 7, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.   (Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

The Mavs, who made a move for Irving at the NBA’s trade deadline in February, still owe a top-10 protected draft pick to the New York Knicks, stemming from