The NBA on Wednesday announced two separate fines for infractions tied to the league’s player-participation rules, docking the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000.
Utah Jazz
League investigators concluded that Utah engaged in “conduct detrimental to the NBA” during road games on February 7 against the Orlando Magic and February 9 against the Miami Heat. In both contests, forwards Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. remained on the bench for the entire fourth quarter even though, according to the league, both players were physically able to continue and the outcomes were still in doubt.
Utah led Orlando by seven heading into the final period before falling by three. Two nights later in Miami, the Jazz entered the fourth quarter up three and went on to win by four.
Jackson, acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies before the trade deadline, is scheduled for season-ending knee surgery over the All-Star break. Multiple reports indicate Utah limited him to 25 minutes per game, which contributed to his fourth-quarter absences. No explanation was provided for Markkanen’s benching.
Jazz governor Ryan Smith reacted on social media with an eye-roll emoji and the comment, “Agree to disagree. Also, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense.”
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers’ $100,000 fine stems from their February 3 matchup with Utah, the second night of a back-to-back. Indiana withheld forward Pascal Siakam—classified as a “star” under league rules—along with two other starters the league identified as eligible to play. While the NBA did not name the additional players, they were believed to be Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith.
The league said Indiana could have staggered rest days in a manner more consistent with its participation policy.
“Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition, and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games,” commissioner Adam Silver stated in the release. He added that the NBA is working with the Competition Committee and Board of Governors on additional measures to deter such conduct.
Source: Hoops Rumors
