According to a statement released by the NBA, the league has fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for “management of their rosters.” The fines come amid growing scrutiny over teams allegedly losing games on purpose to improve draft positions.
The Jazz were specifically penalized for benching stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. during crucial fourth-quarter moments in recent games against the Magic and Heat. The league ruled that these players were physically able to play but were held out to influence the game’s outcome.
League officials warned that “tanking” undermines the integrity of the competition. The Pacers’ fine was related to similar roster management issues that the league deemed “detrimental” to the NBA’s brand during the lead-up to the All-Star break.
This move shows Commissioner Adam Silver is getting tougher on the “race to the bottom” for draft picks. It might discourage teams from resting stars, potentially improving the quality of late-season games but frustrating front offices looking for long-term rebuilds.
* ABS-CBN News (Website): “The NBA took aim at ‘tanking’ on Thursday, fining the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers.”
* ESPN (Sports Desk): “League statement confirms fines for conduct detrimental to the league regarding player availability.”
Source: OrlandoSentinel — https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/02/12/tankers-beware-jazz-fined-500000-pacers-100000-by-nba-for-player-participation-policy-breach/ February 13, 2026
Photo Credit: NBA
Tag: NBA fines
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NBA Slaps Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers with Fines for “Tanking”
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Marcus Smart fined for obscene gesture as NBA officiating debate flares up again
Photo Credit: Reuters
2025-12-21 20:10:00
Reuters reports the NBA fined Marcus Smart $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward an official at halftime of a Lakers win, instantly reigniting online ‘refs vs players’ debate.While league fines are common, the optics are not: clips travel fast, and fan arguments about officiating consistency follow even faster.
Smart’s incident lands in a season where coaches and players have repeatedly complained about how games are called.
ESPN reported: “Lakers guard Marcus Smart was fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a game official…”. The Los Angeles Times similarly wrote: “Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture…”.
Echotitbits take:
This matters because it feeds a broader league narrative about officiating trust. Watch whether Smart comments publicly and whether the NBA introduces any transparency measures that cool down the recurring ‘ref talk’ cycle.Source: Reuters — 2025-12-21 — https://www.reuters.com/sports/lakers-marcus-smart-fined-35000-obscene-gesture–flm-2025-12-21/
Reuters
2025-12-21