SALT LAKE CITY – On a day usually marked by subpar basketball as most of the NBA departs for the All‑Star break, the Utah Jazz unexpectedly found themselves at the center of the league’s attention.
The morning opened with the Jazz announcing that recently acquired forward Jaren Jackson Jr. would undergo surgery to remove a tumor found during an MRI on his knee.
Hours later, the NBA named rookie Ace Bailey as Cooper Flagg’s replacement in Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge.
Then, moments before tipoff of Utah’s eventual 135–119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the league issued a $500,000 fine against the Jazz for their recent late‑game rotations.
Jazz Fined $500,000 For Resting Markkanen, Jackson Jr.
Shorthanded Utah Jazz Fall to Trail Blazers
Playing without Jackson Jr., who likely will miss the rest of the season, and Lauri Markkanen, who sat out for rest, the Jazz entered Thursday night’s matchup at a disadvantage.
Their situation worsened when center Oscar Tshiebwe, the team’s only true big man available, exited after five minutes because of a blow to the head and entered the NBA’s concussion protocol.
With only Kyle Filipowski left to anchor the frontcourt, Utah struggled against Portland’s size. The Trail Blazers won the rebounding battle 59–46, fueled by Donovan Clingan’s 23 points and 18 rebounds.
dialed in from deep 🫡 pic.twitter.com/xbzikaDobT
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 13, 2026
The Jazz cut a 15‑point fourth‑quarter deficit to three after rookie Blake Hinson hit a 3‑pointer with 6:47 left, but they never drew closer.
Hinson, making his NBA debut after signing a two‑way deal over the weekend, finished with 11 points on 4‑of‑7 shooting in 25 minutes. His effort drew praise from coach Will Hardy.
“Blake showed a ton of physicality,” Hardy said. “The ability to catch and shoot, and I think that he obviously came in and is playing a lot off of instinct. He hasn’t had much time with us, so I think he handled himself great. [He] kept it pretty simple for most of the game, and really contributed.”
Brice Sensabaugh led the Jazz with 28 points in the loss, while Portland veteran Jrue Holiday scored a game‑high 31.
Thrilling Week Ends on Sour Note for the Jazz
What had been the franchise’s most exciting week since the 2022 rebuild began—sparked by Jackson Jr.’s impressive performances for the Jazz—now ends with unease heading into the All‑Star break.
The All-Star big man is unlikely to return this season, and the NBA is taking a closer look at Utah’s rotation decisions after fining the organization $500,000 for resting Markkanen and Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of games in Orlando and Miami.
Owner Ryan Smith offered an unusually candid response on social media, questioning why the team was penalized after a win.
🙄 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
Ryan Smith Tells Bobby Marks, “Sit This One Out” After Fine
Hardy offered a blunt “no” when asked if he had any comment on the league’s fine, but didn’t back off his decision to rest Markkanen in Orlando or Miami.
“I sat Lauri because he was on a minutes restriction,” the Jazz coach said. “So if our medical team puts a minutes restriction on Lauri, I’ll try to keep Lauri healthy.”
The NBA has vowed to continue issuing penalties for what it deems violations of competitive integrity.
“Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games,” Commissioner Adam Silver said.
The fine didn’t prevent the Jazz from resting Markkanen against Portland, but it will likely cause further unease among the team’s fanbase as the organization toys with lineups in Jackson Jr.’s absence to close the season.
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
After the All-Star break, the Utah Jazz will travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, February 20 at 5 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.