NBA fines Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for benching key players in winnable games across Salt Lake City and Indianapolis

The NBA is sending a clear message: teams can’t just bench their stars to chase high draft picks.

This week, the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers were hit with six-figure fines after controversial roster moves in games earlier this month.

The league described the actions as “conduct detrimental to the league,” underlining its zero-tolerance approach to what many call tanking.

The Jazz were fined $500,000 after coach Will Hardy pulled forwards Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. late in games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat.

Meanwhile, the Pacers received a $100,000 fine for scratching starting forward Pascal Siakam and two other key players against Utah.

What Happened in Utah and Indiana

In Utah’s case, the controversy centered on the fourth quarter.

The Jazz were ahead by a large margin against the Magic but ended up losing 120-117 after benching their stars.

Against the Heat, the Jazz managed a narrow 115-111 win, even with the same strategy.

Coach Hardy, when asked about the decisions post-game in Miami, admitted, “I wasn’t [considering playing them].”

Critics argue that this kind of strategy prioritizes draft positioning over fair competition, undermining the integrity of the league.

For the Pacers, benching Siakam and other starters against the Jazz was a violation of the NBA’s Player Participation Policy, which was implemented in September 2023 to curb intentional losses.

Both the Jazz and Pacers sit near the bottom of the standings—Utah at 18-37 and Indiana at 15-40—making them prime candidates for top lottery picks.

Why the NBA Is So Concerned

NBA commissioner Adam Silver emphasized that behaviors like this “undermine the foundation of NBA competition” and promised further measures through the league’s Competition Committee and Board of Governors to prevent future incidents.

Tanking, as it’s called in U.S. sports, is the practice of intentionally losing games to improve draft odds.

While the NBA Draft lottery randomizes picks, the teams with the worst records still get higher chances at landing top prospects.

The league has historically frowned on teams manipulating lineups to secure top picks.

The Jazz themselves were fined $100,000 last season for resting Markkanen in multiple games, showing this is a recurring concern.

Jazz Strategy and Player News

The Jazz recently acquired Jaren Jackson Jr., a two-time All-Star and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, in a trade with Memphis.

Jackson averaged 22.3 points in 24 minutes per game but will undergo knee surgery over the All-Star break, sidelining him for the foreseeable future.

Utah’s front office is prioritizing player development and protecting its first-round draft pick, which is top-eight protected.

Missing the playoffs while keeping a high pick aligns with long-term rebuilding strategies, even if it frustrates fans eager to see wins now.

Top Draft Prospects in Sight

This year’s draft class is expected to be strong, with prospects like BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson projected as potential franchise-changing players.

For the Jazz, securing a top lottery pick could jumpstart a rebuild aimed at returning to the glory days of the John Stockton-Karl Malone era, when Utah was a consistent Finals contender in the 1990s.

What’s Next?

The NBA will continue monitoring teams’ adherence to the Player Participation Policy.

Any future infractions could result in more fines or stricter penalties.

For the Jazz and Pacers, this may also put additional pressure on coaches to balance player development with competitive integrity.

Fans will be watching closely to see whether Utah can maintain momentum with young players while positioning itself for the June draft.

Meanwhile, league officials are exploring ways to make tanking less tempting, potentially revising lottery odds or implementing stricter participation rules in the coming seasons.

Summary

The NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for benching key players in winnable games, highlighting concerns over tanking and fair competition.

Utah pulled Markkanen and Jackson in the fourth quarter against the Magic and Heat, while Indiana scratched Siakam and two other starters.

The league is doubling down on its Player Participation Policy and weighing additional measures to protect the integrity of games.

The Jazz are balancing player development with draft positioning, aiming for top prospects like AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer in June.