Last night, the NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 for having healthy players that they did not use at the end of recent games, with a message that moves that undermine the integrity of the competition will not be tolerated. For the same reason, the Indiana Pacers were fined $100,000.
Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the behavior by which it is given draft position advantage in front of the victory undermines the foundations of the league and that the NBA will react to all actions that threaten the integrity of the games. He added that the league is working with the Competition Committee and the Board of Directors to eradicate such practices.
Utah’s penalty applies to games against Orlando Magic February 7 (117:120) and Miami Heat February 9 (115:111). In those meetings, the Jazz left Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. benched in the final quarter, although they could have continued to play and the outcomes were uncertain.
Coach Will Hardy after the victory over Miami confirmed that did not consider their return to the game. After the loss to Portland Trail Blazers (119:135) he said that he is followed the recommendations of the medical team. Markkanen was on a minutes restriction, while Jackson’s minutes were reduced due to a knee growth discovered on February 3rd. The club previously announced that Jackson will undergo season-ending knee surgery after the All-Star break.
Utah owner Ryan Smith responded on social media with a message:
Agree to disagree. Also, we won in Miami and got fined? That makes sense.
The rules on the performance of players were introduced in September 2023 in order to prevented intentional loss for a better draft pick. This year it’s back in focus as the 2026 draft class is considered one of the strongest in recent years, with three top contenders for the first pick – Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybants and Cameron Boozer.
The Pacers (15–40) and Jazz (18–38) are among the six weakest teams in the league. The NBA already fined Utah $100,000 last season for resting Markkanen. Markkanen and recently signed All-Star Jackson represent the foundation of the team, while the club has prioritized the development of younger players instead of fighting for wins.
Management wants keep this year’s first round draft pickprotected among the top eight. If Utah finishes outside the bottom eight, that pick would go to the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to ESPN.
This also explains the limited playing time of the 31-year-old Jusuf Nurkicwho despite averaging 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists is playing an average of 26.4 minutes. In disputed games in Florida, he left the floor four minutes before the end of the third quarter and did not return to the game. He often stayed on the bench for the entire game, including the last meeting with Portland, so he missed 15 games this season.
Last night, Utah lost to Portland at home 119:135, and Nurkic remained on the bench again. Whether the situation will change after the punishment remains to be seen. By the end of the regular season, the Jazz expect 26 more games.
Results:
Utah – Portland 119:135
LA Lakers – Dallas 124:104
Oklahoma City – Milwaukee 93:110
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: X)
