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NBA's Jazz Decision Amid Tanking Concerns Revealed

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zahid Rashid | Last updated Feb 26, 2026 7:30 AM ET

The NBA appears to be taking an increasingly strict approach in addressing tanking concerns across the league, with the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers already fined for allegedly attempting to lose games to improve their 2026 NBA Draft lottery odds.

The Jazz have been one of the worst teams this season, sitting 13th in the Western Conference with an 18–40 record. With playoff hopes slim, it’s no surprise they appear focused on the future. However, the NBA fined them $500,000 for benching Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of two recent games, citing “conduct detrimental to the league” and alleging overt tanking.

Meanwhile, the 15-44 Pacers were fined $100,000 after an independent doctor determined that Pascal Siakam and two other starters, all of whom were held out, could have played under the league’s medical participation standards in early February.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver now appears intent on verifying the Jazz’s latest injury report after Markkanen reportedly suffered a right ankle and hip issue in practice on Wednesday. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday, and Tony Jones of The Athletic reported that the league is sending independent doctors to evaluate the injury.

Per sources, Lauri Markkanen’s MRI is scheduled for tomorrow. So the Jazz will know then more definitively what they are dealing with in terms of their star
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) February 26, 2026

This follows reports that the league asked the Pacers whether they would consider medicating Aaron Nesmith so he could play in the game for which they were later fined for sitting out players. Now, the latest development only intensifies concerns about potential overreach, particularly if disagreements arise between team doctors and NBA-appointed physicians over a player’s fitness to play.

Jazz owner Ryan Smith has already expressed frustration with the $500,000 fine, noting that Utah won one of the games the league cited as evidence of tanking. With tensions seemingly rising, it remains to be seen how Smith and the organization will respond to the NBA’s continued scrutiny.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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