NBA Fines Jazz and Pacers for Not Trying to Win

The NBA has given fines to the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. The league said they did not try hard enough to win games, which is not fair to the sport. They want all teams to play their best.
By Newsroom | Basketball, USA |

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has issued significant fines to the Utah Jazz and the Indiana Pacers, citing violations of the league's player participation policy. These penalties stem from what league officials have described as "conduct detrimental to the league," specifically related to the teams' decisions to rest key players in games that officials believe undermined the competitive integrity of the sport and prioritized draft positioning over winning.

League Addresses Concerns Over Competitive Balance

The NBA's recent actions signal a firm stance against strategies perceived as "tanking," where teams may deliberately underperform to improve their chances in the upcoming player draft. Commissioner Adam Silver has articulated that such behavior "undermines the foundation of NBA competition." This crackdown comes as the league grapples with maintaining a level playing field and upholding the excitement of its regular-season games, especially as teams not in playoff contention evaluate their strategies for the latter half of the season.

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Details of the Fines and Violations

The Utah Jazz were fined $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers were fined $100,000. These penalties are associated with specific games played in early February 2026.

  • Utah Jazz: The Jazz were fined for their conduct in games against the Orlando Magic on February 7th and the Miami Heat on February 9th. The league statement indicated that the Jazz "sat both of their former All-Stars," Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., in the fourth quarter of these games, despite their availability to play and while the outcomes were still uncertain. The Jazz lost to the Magic 120-117 and defeated the Heat 115-111 in these instances.

  • Indiana Pacers: The Pacers' fine of $100,000 relates to a February 3rd game against the Jazz. The league's statement suggested that the team "could have held the players out of other games in a way that would have better promoted compliance with the policy." The Pacers lost to the Jazz 131-122 in that particular game, with Pascal Siakam and other starters notably absent from the lineup.

League's Rationale and Commissioner's Statement

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued a strong statement detailing the league's position.

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"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."

This declaration underscores the league's commitment to safeguarding the perceived fairness and authenticity of its contests. The fines are intended as a deterrent against future similar actions.

Broader Context of "Tanking" in the NBA

The issue of "tanking" is not new to the NBA. Teams that find themselves out of playoff contention often weigh the benefits of securing high draft picks against the desire to win games in the present. This dynamic is particularly influenced by the NBA's draft lottery system, which provides better odds for landing top prospects to teams with poorer regular-season records.

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  • The league has engaged in discussions about this issue, including a recent competition committee meeting involving owners, executives, and players.

  • Strategies perceived as tanking can include trading away veteran players for future draft picks or limiting the participation of key personnel in late-season games.

  • Commissioner Silver has indicated that the league is exploring "further measures to root out this type of conduct."

Team Responses and Perspectives

While the league has taken decisive action, some team figures have expressed differing viewpoints. Jazz owner Ryan Smith responded to the fine on social media, stating, "Agree to disagree," indicating a divergence in perspective on the interpretation of the team's actions. Jazz coach Will Hardy was also questioned about player rotations and strategic decisions. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has acknowledged the team's struggles, noting their then-current record and competitive situation.

Beyond the fines, the NBA landscape in early February 2026 includes other notable events:

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  • LeBron James's Historic Performance: At 41 years old, LeBron James achieved a historic triple-double, a significant individual milestone amidst the league's broader competitive discussions.

  • All-Star Weekend: Preparations and coverage for the NBA All-Star Game were also prominent, showcasing the league's top talent.

Expert and Media Analysis

Media reports highlight the severity of the fines as a signal from the league office.

  • The $500,000 fine for the Jazz represents a substantial financial penalty.

  • Commentary suggests that these actions are part of a larger effort by the NBA to reinforce its commitment to competitive integrity.

  • Analysts note that while veteran players like Paul Pierce have explained the rationale behind teams choosing draft odds, the league's response indicates a growing intolerance for overt displays of tanking.

Conclusion and Future Implications

The NBA's fines against the Jazz and Pacers demonstrate a clear escalation in the league's efforts to combat intentional losing. Commissioner Silver's statements and the significant financial penalties underscore the NBA's determination to uphold the integrity of its competition. The league's administration appears poised to implement additional measures to prevent teams from prioritizing draft positioning over the pursuit of victory. Future games and team strategies will likely be scrutinized for compliance with the league's player participation policies and its broader competitive balance initiatives. The exact nature of these "further measures" remains to be seen, but the league has clearly signaled its intent to act decisively.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were the Jazz and Pacers fined?
They were fined because the NBA thinks they did not try to win games on purpose. This is called 'tanking'.
Q: How much money did they have to pay?
The Utah Jazz paid $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers paid $100,000.
Q: What does 'tanking' mean in basketball?
Tanking means a team might try to lose games so they can get better players in the next draft.
Q: Does the NBA want teams to lose on purpose?
No, the NBA leader said this is not good for the game and they want all games to be fair and exciting.