Rick Carlisle disputes $100,000 fine imposed on Pacers by NBA
Rick Carlisle sharply criticizes the NBA's investigation process regarding the $100,000 fine imposed on the Indiana Pacers for violating the player participation policy, accusing the league of not consulting the team's doctors.
Photo Credit : © Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the $100,000 fine imposed by the NBA on his team for violating the player participation policy. During his weekly appearance on local radio station 107.5 The Fan, the 66-year-old coach criticized the league’s investigation process.
Investigation process contested by the Pacers
The fine followed the February 3 game against the Utah Jazz, where Aaron Nesmith was among the absent players. Carlisle claims the NBA did not consult the team’s doctors before making its decision: « The league attorney conducting the interview essentially decided unilaterally that Aaron Nesmith, who had been injured the night before and couldn’t hold the ball, should have played the game, which seems simply ridiculous. »
Rick Carlisle says the NBA asked the Pacers if they considered ‘medicating’ an injured Aaron Nesmith so he could play in a game
The Pacers were 30 games under .500
(Via @MorningShow1075, h/t @CourtsideBuzzX) pic.twitter.com/Nqdg1Yyakf
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 24, 2026
The coach also revealed that the league had suggested medicating the player so he could play despite his left hand injury: « During the interview, they also asked if we had considered medicating him to play in a game when we were 30 wins below .500. »
NBA refutes Carlisle’s accusations
The NBA quickly responded to Carlisle’s statements with an official statement: « Coach Carlisle’s description of the process that led to the decision to fine the Indiana Pacers is inaccurate. An independent physician directed the medical review. Additionally, the Pacers’ general manager and the team’s senior vice president for sports medicine and performance were interviewed as part of the process. »
The league also clarified that « the Pacers confirmed they had provided all information requested by the league and the team reported that an interview with Coach Carlisle or a team physician was not necessary. »
This controversy comes as the Pacers and Jazz, also sanctioned with a $500,000 fine for alleged tanking tactics, occupy the bottom of the standings and could be contenders for the first pick in the 2026 NBA draft. Carlisle, who has 1,008 wins in 24 seasons as head coach and recently announced he would step down as president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, maintains his criticism of the league’s investigation process.
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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