The Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey on Monday at approximately 5:30 p.m. — roughly two hours before the team’s scheduled tipoff in San Antonio against the Spurs — citing “conduct detrimental to the team” as the basis for the release. The organization has not clarified, elaborated upon, or in any way described what the conduct was, a communication posture that a Bulls spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday was “intentional and final.”

The timing of the move prompted immediate and widespread speculation, largely because releasing a player two hours before a game is not a standard business practice in professional sports, or any other industry, and because the phrase “conduct detrimental to the team” — a clause that appears in most NBA player contracts and that teams occasionally invoke — has historically been paired with some form of explanation. The Bulls did not provide one. When asked whether the conduct occurred on Monday, or earlier, or involved an incident at practice, or involved an incident off the court, or involved any combination of the above, the spokesperson said the team had nothing further to add and thanked reporters for their time.

Ivey, acquired from the Detroit Pistons in January as part of the trade that sent De’Aaron Fox to Sacramento and reshaped the Bulls’ backcourt for what the front office described at the time as “the next chapter of this franchise,” had averaged 15.4 points and 5.7 assists since arriving in Chicago. He was regarded by teammates and coaching staff as a competitive presence on the floor, and had been a starter in each of his 47 games as a Bull. The team has not named a starter to replace him. When asked who would start in Ivey’s position against the Spurs on Monday night, the spokesperson said “the coaching staff will make the appropriate adjustments” and moved toward the elevator.

The remaining Bulls players, who played a 129-114 loss in San Antonio about 90 minutes after Ivey received his walking papers, were asked about the situation in postgame availability. Collin Sexton said he “heard about it when everyone heard about it.” Leonard Miller said “I’m focused on what I can control.” Tre Jones, who had 23 points in the game, said “no comment” in a tone that suggested either deep knowledge of the situation or extreme tiredness after a loss. The Bulls had three players score 20 or more and still lost by 15, a separate and unrelated organizational indignity that received somewhat less attention than the pre-game waiving.

The Spurs, for their part, appeared unbothered by the procedural drama unfolding in the visitors’ locker room, which makes sense because the Spurs are 57-18 and Victor Wembanyama scored 41 points. The conduct detrimental to the team, whatever it was, did not affect Wembanyama’s performance. Nothing affects Wembanyama’s performance.

Multiple outlets reported throughout Monday evening that the “conduct” in question related to an internal disagreement that had been escalating for several weeks and that involved at least one person who was not Ivey. The Bulls declined to confirm this. The Bulls also declined to deny it. When a reporter asked whether either confirmation or denial would be forthcoming at any future point, the spokesperson said the organization “considers the matter closed,” which is a statement that by definition precludes confirmation, denial, or further elaboration. The reporter asked if “closed” included future inquiry. The spokesperson said yes. The reporter asked if “yes” was subject to revision. The spokesperson said the matter was closed and the press conference was over.

Ivey’s agent had not issued a statement as of press time. A source described as “familiar with the situation” told three separate outlets three meaningfully different versions of events, a consistency that this reporter found, in its own way, clarifying. The Bulls’ next game is Wednesday. The roster, minus Ivey, will take the court. The conduct, whatever it was, has been deemed sufficient. The team is closed on the subject. The matter is final. The elevator doors have closed.