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NBA Fines Jazz $500,000, Pacers $100,000 for Player Participation Violations
League cracks down on teams resting players to improve draft position
Feb. 13, 2026 at 5:55am
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The NBA has fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for violating the league's player participation policy. The Jazz were found to have held out key players Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of close games, while the Pacers sat out Pascal Siakam and other starters. The fines come as the league tries to discourage teams from purposely losing games to improve their draft lottery odds.
Why it matters
The NBA implemented the player participation policy in 2023 to prevent teams from tanking and prioritizing draft position over winning. This fine sends a strong message that the league will not tolerate overt efforts to undermine the integrity of games, especially as the 2023 draft is considered one of the strongest in years.
The details
The Jazz did not play Markkanen and Jackson for the entire fourth quarter in recent close games against the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, despite the players being healthy and able to continue. The Pacers also held out Siakam and other starters in a February 3 game against the Jazz. The NBA said these actions "undermines the foundation of NBA competition" and that the league will "respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games."
- On February 13, 2026, the NBA announced the fines against the Jazz and Pacers.
- The Jazz were previously fined $100,000 last season for resting Markkanen in multiple games.
The players
Lauri Markkanen
A key player for the Utah Jazz who was held out of fourth quarters in recent close games.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
A recently-acquired two-time All-Star and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year for the Jazz who was also held out of fourth quarters.
Pascal Siakam
A starter for the Indiana Pacers who was held out of a February 3 game against the Jazz.
Will Hardy
The head coach of the Utah Jazz who was asked about resting Markkanen and Jackson in the fourth quarter.
Adam Silver
The NBA Commissioner who said the league will "respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games."
What they’re saying
“I wasn't.”
— Will Hardy, Head Coach, Utah Jazz
“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.”
— Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
What’s next
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is expected to further address the issue of tanking during his media availability at All-Star weekend on Saturday.
The takeaway
This fine underscores the NBA's commitment to maintaining the integrity of its games and discouraging teams from prioritizing draft position over winning. The league is willing to take strong action against overt attempts to undermine competition, signaling that tanking will not be tolerated.
