NBA Fines Utah Jazz $500,000 for Not Trying to Win

The NBA has given the Utah Jazz a fine of $500,000. The team was penalized for not letting healthy players play in important parts of recent games. The league says this hurts fair play. The Indiana Pacers were also fined $100,000 for a similar rule break.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

The National Basketball Association has levied a substantial $500,000 fine against the Utah Jazz organization for actions deemed "detrimental to the league." This penalty, announced on February 12, 2026, stems from the team's management of player rotations in recent games, specifically instances where key players were sidelined in late-game situations despite being able to play. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that such behavior, which appears to prioritize draft positioning over competitive play, undermines the foundational integrity of NBA competition.

The league also fined the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for similar player participation policy violations.

Background of the Fines

The NBA's disciplinary action follows an examination of the Utah Jazz's games against the Orlando Magic on February 7, 2026, and the Miami Heat on February 9, 2026. In both of these contests, the Jazz reportedly removed two prominent players, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., from the game before the start of the fourth quarter. The league's assessment indicates that these players were healthy enough to continue participating, and their removal occurred while the outcomes of the games were still in doubt.

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This practice has been interpreted by the NBA as a deliberate attempt to influence draft positioning, a strategy commonly referred to as "tanking." Commissioner Silver's statement emphasized that overt actions prioritizing draft status over winning compromise the league's competitive balance.

Evidence of Conduct Detrimental to the League

  • Player Participation: In the games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, the Utah Jazz sat both Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter.

  • Player Availability: These players were described by the NBA as "otherwise able to continue to play."

  • Game Outcome in Doubt: The decision to bench these players occurred while the results of the games were still uncertain.

  • Commissioner's Statement: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explicitly stated, "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."

  • Jazz's Record: Entering the February 12th game, the Jazz held the sixth-worst record in the NBA at 18-37.

NBA's Stance on Competitive Integrity

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has issued a firm warning against practices that could compromise the integrity of the games. The substantial fine against the Jazz reflects the league's commitment to upholding a standard of fair play and genuine competition. Silver indicated that the league is exploring further measures to deter such conduct.

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Utah Jazz fined for 'compromising integrity' of NBA - 1

"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

The league's statement also mentioned ongoing work with the Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement additional policies aimed at eradicating such behavior.

Reactions to the Fine

The NBA's decision has drawn varied responses. Jazz owner Ryan Smith took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his views. While acknowledging the league's stance, Smith also questioned the league's actions, tweeting, "That makes sense …" in a manner that suggested disagreement or skepticism regarding the penalty. Some analyses suggest Smith believes the Jazz may have a valid grievance, despite the team's clear attempt to influence draft order.

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Jazz coach Will Hardy declined to comment directly on the fine following the team's game on February 12th.

Indiana Pacers' Violation

The Indiana Pacers also faced a penalty, receiving a $100,000 fine for violating the NBA's player participation policy. This violation occurred during their game against the Utah Jazz on February 3, 2026. While the Pacers' fine is significantly less than the Jazz's, it underscores the league's broader effort to enforce its player participation rules across multiple franchises.

Implications for NBA Competition

The NBA's actions signal a robust effort to preserve the integrity of its regular-season games. The substantial fine and public statement from Commissioner Silver suggest a low tolerance for what is perceived as "tanking." This may lead teams to reassess their roster management strategies, particularly in situations where draft positioning is a consideration. The league's commitment to addressing this issue indicates a potential for stricter enforcement and policy adjustments in the future.

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  • Jazz Owner Ryan Smith voiced his response via social media, indicating a degree of disagreement with the NBA's decision.

  • Jazz Coach Will Hardy opted not to comment on the league's fine after a recent game.

  • The Indiana Pacers were fined $100,000 for a separate player participation policy breach.

Conclusion

The Utah Jazz have been fined $500,000 by the NBA for conduct detrimental to the league, specifically for benching healthy players, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., in the fourth quarter of games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat in early February 2026. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver characterized these actions as undermining competitive integrity by prioritizing draft position over winning. The Indiana Pacers received a $100,000 fine for similar player participation policy violations. While owner Ryan Smith has publicly expressed reservations, the league remains firm in its stance against such practices, indicating potential further measures to deter future occurrences.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the NBA fine the Utah Jazz?
The NBA fined the Jazz $500,000 because they benched healthy players in games. This made it look like they were not trying to win.
Q: How much was the fine?
The Utah Jazz had to pay $500,000. The Indiana Pacers were also fined $100,000 for a similar reason.
Q: What did the NBA Commissioner say?
Commissioner Adam Silver said that teams should try to win games. He said that not trying to win hurts the league.
Q: Did the Jazz owner say anything?
Yes, the owner of the Jazz, Ryan Smith, said he did not fully agree with the fine.
Q: Is this the first time this has happened?
The NBA is looking into this more and might make new rules to stop teams from not trying to win.