The NBA fined the Nets $100,000 on Thursday, marking the first time a team was sanctioned for violating the league’s player participation policy that went into effect this season.

The Nets held out four rotation players — starters Spencer Dinwiddie, Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson, along with key reserve Dorian Finney-Smith — in what became a 144-122 loss to the Bucks on Dec. 27. Three of the players the Nets started that night logged 12 minutes or less. The Nets asserted that giving players rest on the second night of a back-to-back — at the start of a stretch where the team would play six times in nine days — was best for its club. But the league made clear to teams entering this season that resting multiple players, who are healthy enough to play, at once will no longer be overlooked. The league’s investigation included a review by an independent physician. The NBA said those resting players “could have played under the medical standard in the Player Participation Policy, which was adopted prior to this season. The organization’s conduct violated the Policy, which is intended to promote player participation in the NBA’s 82-game season.”

G Ricky Rubio, who stepped away from the Cavaliers this season to concentrate on his mental health, announced his retirement from the NBA. The 33-year-old Spanish native has spent the last two seasons recovering from a torn knee ligament. He was limited to just 33 games last season. Rubio played for four teams in his 12-year career.

College football: Former Kansas State QB Will Howard will transfer to Ohio State. Howard led Kansas State to the Big 12 title in 2022. He will be a fifth-year senior with one year of eligibility left.

NFL: The Ravens signed RB Dalvin Cook to their practice squad. The 28-year-old four-time Pro Bowler went unclaimed on waivers after he was released by the Jets on Tuesday.