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NBA Fines Jazz $500K, Pacers $100K for Player Participation Violations
League cracks down on teams resting healthy players to improve draft position
Feb. 13, 2026 at 1:39am
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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 sat healthy stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of close games, while the Pacers held out Pascal Siakam and other starters. The league said this behavior prioritizes draft position over winning and undermines the integrity of NBA competition.
Why it matters
The NBA implemented the player participation policy in 2023 to discourage teams from purposely losing games to improve their draft lottery odds. This year's draft is considered one of the strongest in years, potentially incentivizing some teams to try to position themselves for a high pick. The fines sent a strong message from the league that this type of conduct will not be tolerated.
The details
The Jazz kept Markkanen and Jackson out of the fourth quarter of recent close games against the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, even though the players were healthy and able to continue. The Pacers also held out Siakam and two other starters in a February 3 game against the Jazz. The NBA said this 'overt behavior' that prioritizes draft position over winning 'undermines the foundation of NBA competition'.
- The NBA fined the Jazz $500,000 and the Pacers $100,000 on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
- The league implemented the player participation policy in September 2023 to discourage teams from purposely losing games.
The players
Lauri Markkanen
A key player for the Utah Jazz who was sat out of fourth quarters of 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 sat out of fourth quarters.
Pascal Siakam
A starter for the Indiana Pacers who was held out of a game against the Jazz.
Will Hardy
The head coach of the Utah Jazz who was asked about sitting Markkanen and Jackson in the fourth quarter.
Adam Silver
The NBA Commissioner who said the league will respond to any further actions that compromise the integrity of the 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
The NBA Commissioner is expected to further address the issue of teams resting healthy players during his media session at All-Star weekend on Saturday.
The takeaway
The NBA's strong penalties against the Jazz and Pacers for violating the player participation policy send a clear message that the league will not tolerate teams prioritizing draft position over winning. This underscores the league's commitment to maintaining the integrity of competition and ensuring fans are seeing the best possible product on the court.
