T-Wolves fined $25K for resting healthy Russell

The NBA fined the Minnesota Timberwolves $25,000 for violating the league's player resting policy after they held out a healthy D'Angelo Russell against the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 23, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star-Tribune.

Russell was kept out of the game in Denver due to what the team called "planned rest."

Minnesota accepted the fine but defended its decision to sit Russell for the road matchup in a statement.

"While we respect the league's guidelines and standards, we are a player-centric organization that's focused on learning and optimizing our players' bodies," the team said. "As a new player in our program, we chose to rest D'Angelo in order to learn his body better and to optimize his health during a difficult stretch of games and travel."

Though the league deemed Russell healthy for the contest in question, injuries have bothered the 24-year-old this season. Most recently, his Timberwolves debut was pushed back a game earlier this month as he recovered from a right quad contusion.

While still with the Golden State Warriors, he also missed nine games between November and December due to a sprained thumb. A shoulder injury then sidelined him for six contests beginning on Dec. 31.