SALT LAKE CITY – The NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 for resting Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of two recent games, the league announced Wednesday.
The Indiana Pacers also received a $100,000 fine.
Jaren Jackson Jr. To Undergo Season-Ending Left Knee Surgery
Jazz fined $500,000 by NBA for rotations
In its release, the league said the Jazz were penalized for how they managed their rotation during games in Orlando and Miami.
“The Utah Jazz organization has been fined $500,000 for conduct detrimental to the league related to the team’s games against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 7 and the Miami Heat on Feb. 9,” the statement said.
“During those games, the Jazz removed two of the team’s top players, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson, Jr., before the beginning of the fourth quarter and did not return them to the game, even though these players were otherwise able to continue to play and the outcomes of the games were thereafter in doubt.”
The Jazz led Orlando 94–87 entering the fourth quarter but were outscored 33–23 in a 120–117 loss. In Miami, Utah held an 85–82 lead entering the fourth and went on to beat the Heat 115–111 to close its five‑game road trip.
Pacers fined for loss to Jazz
The league also fined Indiana $100,000 for sitting Pascal Siakam and two other starters during Utah’s 131–122 win on Feb. 3.
Injury Report for tonight’s game against the Jazz:
Micah Potter – Questionable (left hip contusion)
Bennedict Mathurin – Out (rest)
T.J. McConnell – Out (left knee injury management)
Andrew Nembhard – Out (lower back injury management)
Aaron Nesmith – Out (left hand strain)… pic.twitter.com/BTsFnsBB7v— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 3, 2026
“The Indiana Pacers have been fined $100,000 for violating the Player Participation Policy in connection with the team’s game against the Utah Jazz on Feb. 3,” the release read.
“Following an investigation, including review by an independent physician, the NBA determined that Pascal Siakam, a star player under the Policy, and two other Pacers starters, neither of whom participated in the game, could have played under the medical standard in the Policy, including by playing reduced minutes. Alternatively, the team could have held the players out of other games in a way that would have better promoted compliance with the Policy.”
Jazz owner Ryan Smith responds to NBA fine
Jazz owner Ryan Smith responded on social media soon after the announcement.
“Agree to disagree …,” Smith wrote on X with an eyeroll emoji. “Also, 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
The NBA imposed the fine even though Utah’s younger rotation outscored Miami 30–29 in the final 12 minutes.
“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,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in the release.
“Additionally, we are working with our Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct.”
The Jazz own a record of 18-37 ahead of their final game before the All-Star break.
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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.