Overview
- Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, in a local radio interview, criticized the $100,000 penalty and alleged the league asked whether Indiana had considered medicating Aaron Nesmith to enable him to play.
- The NBA called Carlisle’s account inaccurate, saying an independent doctor directed the medical review and that the Pacers’ general manager and senior vice president of sports medicine and performance were interviewed.
- The league fined Indiana for violating the Player Participation Policy tied to the Feb. 3 game against Utah, asserting Pascal Siakam and two others could have played, potentially with reduced minutes.
- Reporting around the game noted Nesmith did not play after a prior hand injury, and subsequent coverage cited a separate right ankle sprain that was expected to keep him out at least a week.
- Commissioner Adam Silver has condemned behavior that prioritizes draft position and has signaled additional deterrents after also fining the Jazz $500,000 for conduct deemed detrimental to the league.