TITLE: Jazz owner Ryan Smith pushes back after NBA levies $500,000 fine
SLUG: jazz-owner-ryan-smith-disputes-nba-fine
CONTENT:
The NBA has docked the Utah Jazz $500,000 for what the league called “conduct detrimental to the NBA,” but team owner Ryan Smith says he “agrees to disagree” with the decision.
The penalty, announced Tuesday, centers on Utah’s decision to keep Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. on the bench for the entire fourth quarter in back-to-back games — Feb. 7 in Orlando and Feb. 9 in Miami. According to the league, both players were medically able to continue, and the outcomes of both contests were still in doubt.
Utah led Orlando by seven points entering the final period before falling 115-112. Two nights later the Jazz were up three to start the fourth in Miami and held on for a 110-106 victory. The league said those situations violated its competitive integrity standards.
Smith responded on X, formerly Twitter, posting an eye-roll emoji and writing, “Agree to disagree. Also, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense.”
Jackson injury complicates matter
Jackson is expected to undergo season-ending knee surgery during the upcoming All-Star break. Team medical staff discovered the issue during his physical, and Utah initially considered shutting him down immediately. Multiple reports say Jackson asked to appear in at least one home game before the operation. League sources told The Athletic he was limited to 25 minutes per game, explaining his absence down the stretch but not accounting for Markkanen’s.
Additional fine for Pacers
The NBA also fined the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for resting Pascal Siakam and two other starters on Feb. 3 against Utah, the second night of a back-to-back, in violation of the league’s player participation policy.
Commissioner Adam Silver underscored the NBA’s position in the release announcing both fines. “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,” Silver said, adding that the league is working with the Competition Committee and Board of Governors on additional measures.
While the league vows stricter enforcement, Smith remains publicly at odds with the ruling.
Source: Hoops Wire
