Heat Fined $25K For Violating NBA Injury Reporting Policies

The NBA announced Saturday that it fined the Miami Heat $25,000 for "failing to comply with league policies governing injury reporting."

This marks the second time the Heat have been fined $25,000 for improper injury reporting this season, with the first instance occurring last month.

Per Gilbert McGregor of Sporting News, the Heat responded by listing every one of their players on the injury report prior to the ensuing game.

The NBA did not specify the exact violations the Heat committed, nor did it divulge which game the violation was related to, but it may have had to do with Tuesday night's home game against the Boston Celtics.

Miami's top player, Jimmy Butler, was inactive for the game due to a back injury despite not being listed on the Heat's initial injury report.

Even so, the Heat pulled out a 98-95 victory, as center Bam Adebayo led the team with 30 points and 15 rebounds.

Miami also got quality performances out of Haywood Highsmith (15 points and 10 rebounds), Max Strus (13 points and seven rebounds) and Victor Oladipo (12 points and six rebounds) in Butler's absence.

The 33-year-old Butler is a six-time All-Star. He is enjoying another strong season with 21.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

While it isn't uncommon for teams to sit stars on the front or back end of back-to-backs, the Heat have not played on back-to-back nights since Dec. 30 and 31.

The Heat are in the midst of a three-game winning streak and have won seven of their past nine games overall, moving them into sixth place in the Eastern Conference at 28-22.

After missing Tuesday's game, Butler returned to play Friday and led Miami with 29 points in a 110-105 win over the Orlando Magic.

The Heat will be back in action Sunday when they travel to Charlotte to take on the struggling Hornets.