76ers fined $25,000 for violating NBA injury-reporting rules

The Philadelphia 76ers are currently averaging a minimum of one fine per month. 

On Monday afternoon, the NBA announced that the 76ers have been fined $25,000 for violating the league's rules regarding the reporting of injuries. Philadelphia failed to include guard Ben Simmons on its initial injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets, and the All-Star didn't participate in that contest due to swelling in his left knee.

League rules prohibit teams from making last-second shifts on injury reports.

According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, Simmons also won't play against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday because of the injury. Bontemps added that coach Doc Rivers told reporters on Saturday he knew after Thursday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets that Simmons wouldn't be available through at least the weekend. 

"Ben, in the Brooklyn game, had some knee stiffness, and so we almost probably knew after the game that he wouldn't play tonight," Rivers explained. 

As of Monday afternoon, five Philadelphia players are in the league's health and safety protocols. Along with Simmons, Terrance Ferguson is out because of personal reasons and Furkan Korkmaz is dealing with an adductor strain.

In late December, the 76ers were fined $50,000 for violating the NBA's anti-tampering rules.