NBA Fines Jazz $500,000 for Alleged Tanking

Commissioner Adam Silver faces criticism over the league's crackdown on 'conduct detrimental to the league'.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The NBA has fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 for allegedly benching star players Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of recent games, with the league calling it "conduct detrimental to the league." The decision has sparked mixed reactions from the NBA world, with some questioning whether the league is being too heavy-handed in its approach to tanking.

Why it matters

The issue of tanking, where teams intentionally lose games to improve their draft position, has been a contentious one in the NBA. The league's decision to fine the Jazz highlights its efforts to crack down on the practice, but some argue that the league is being inconsistent in its enforcement and that fining teams may not be the best solution.

The details

The NBA fined the Jazz $500,000 for keeping Markkanen and Jackson Jr. out of the fourth quarter of two recent games, which the league said was "conduct detrimental to the league." The Indiana Pacers were also fined $100,000 for violating the league's Player Participation Policy. Some in the NBA world, such as Jazz insider Ben Anderson, believe the league is on a "slippery slope" with its approach and that Commissioner Adam Silver should be questioned about it during All-Star Weekend.

  • On Thursday, the NBA announced the fines against the Jazz and Pacers.
  • The Jazz lost 135-119 at home to the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night, dropping their record to 18-38 on the season.

The players

Lauri Markkanen

A star player for the Utah Jazz.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

A star player for the Utah Jazz.

Adam Silver

The Commissioner of the NBA who handed down the fines against the Jazz and Pacers.

Pascal Siakam

A star player for the Indiana Pacers who the league determined could have played in a recent game against the Jazz.

Ben Anderson

A Jazz insider for KSL Sports in Salt Lake City.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, Adam Silver needs to be questioned on this during his All-Star availability. Fining a team for altering a late-game rotation, which resulted in a win, and a win in which the Jazz's roster outscored the opponent, is a slippery slope the NBA should be wary of embarking on.”

— Ben Anderson, Jazz insider (X)

“I mean I get that Silver had to draw a line in the sand, but Siakam played 51 of 55 games before the break and put up All-Star numbers. And that Jazz game was seriously competitive.”

— Dustin Dopirak, Pacers beat writer (X)

“This is wild to think about... Mavs tanked a couple of games at the end of the season. Jazz been tanking the first half of the season, let alone years.”

— Landon Thomas, Mavericks reporter (X)

What’s next

The NBA is expected to face further questions about its approach to tanking during Commissioner Adam Silver's press availability at NBA All-Star Weekend.

The takeaway

The NBA's decision to fine the Jazz and Pacers for alleged tanking tactics has sparked a debate about the league's enforcement of its rules and whether fines are the best way to address the issue of tanking, which remains a contentious topic in the NBA.