Tanking in the NBA has been a heated conversation this season, and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has had to approach that conversation carefully. Just eight months ago, the Pacers were at the pinnacle of the basketball world, making a thrilling run to the NBA Finals in which they defeated the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics and the beloved New York Knicks. They also took on a dominant Oklahoma City Thunder team in the NBA Finals in a seven-game series.
But in that Game 7, star point guard Tyrese Halliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon, definitively ruling him out for the season. With the loss of Halliburton, the Pacers have struggled this season, sitting at 15-40 in the Eastern Conference, just one spot ahead of the Washington Wizards.
Recently, the NBA fined the Pacers $100,000 for player participation policy violations on February 12. The penalty was given because NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam and two other starters were held out of the game, although an independent league investigation found that all three could have played, albeit in fewer minutes. The Jazz ultimately won the game 131–122.
Carlisle talked about the fine while speaking to reporters after Pacers practice Tuesday in comments obtained by IndyStar.
“I have no idea,” he said, “and really no comment on it.”
Carlisle was asked if the team would change the way it manages player involvement going forward.
Carlisle said, “We will manage our situation the way we need to. I am extremely proud of the way our players, organization and fans have navigated an exceptionally challenging season.” According to IndyStar, he said, “We’ve been very consistent in the way we’ve approached everything this year, and the NBA is aware of that. Communication with the league office has been productive. We’ll move forward with the same emphasis on competitiveness and growth that I talked about at Media Day, Sept. 29, 2025.”
Although the team has struggled this season, the Pacers have been competitive in several games, including a January 23 win over the Thunder and an overtime win over the Knicks a few days before the All-Star break. The Pacers made a big trade deadline move and acquired former Clippers center Ivica Zubac, who is considered one of the best big men in the league.
But despite the team’s success, the NBA has put a halt to enforcement of player participation. The Pacers, as well as the Jazz, were fined $500,000 for violating the player participation policy. The NBA also instituted the 65-game rule which requires players to play at least 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards and honors.
The Pacers will play the first of two games against the Wizards tonight at 7 PM
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