Jazz and Pacers Sanctioned for Tanking with Record Fines

The NBA struck hard Thursday night by financially sanctioning two franchises for their controversial roster management practices. The Utah Jazz face a $500,000 fine, while the Indiana Pacers must pay $100,000 for what the league describes as « conduct detrimental to the league. »

The NBA has fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 related to the management of their rosters for recent games.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 13, 2026

Tanking Strategies Too Obvious for the League

The fine imposed on the Jazz follows their actions during games against Orlando Magic on February 7 and Miami Heat on February 9. During these matchups, Utah chose to bench their stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. for the entire fourth quarter, « even though these players were otherwise capable of continuing to play and the game outcomes were uncertain. »

The strategy was particularly blatant: both stars played 25 minutes during the first three quarters, allowing the Jazz to take the lead, before being systematically removed from the final period. Utah led Orlando 94-87 before the final quarter but fell 120-117, while the team maintained its lead against Miami (115-111) despite this tactic.

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The Pacers violated the player participation policy during their game against the Jazz on February 3. The league’s investigation revealed that Pascal Siakam and two other benched starters « could have played according to the policy’s medical standards, including playing reduced minutes. »

Adam Silver Takes Strong Stance Against Tanking

Commissioner Adam Silver minced no words in his official statement: « Blatant behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundations of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any future actions that compromise the integrity of our games. Additionally, we are working with our Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement additional measures to eradicate this type of conduct. »

Jazz owner Ryan Smith contested this decision on social media: « Agree to disagree… Plus, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense… »

🙄 agree to disagree … Also, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense … https://t.co/sHQrggB2Xa

— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) February 13, 2026

This situation illustrates the NBA‘s dilemma with widespread tanking. With ten teams – one-third of the league – actively trying to lose games to improve their position in the 2026 draft, considered one of the best and deepest in recent decades, the league faces a major challenge in preserving the integrity of competition.