sports

Pacers fined $100k for violating Player Participation Policy

The Indiana Pacers were fined $100,000 for violating the NBA's Player Participation Policy after sitting Pascal Siakam, citing tanking to improve draft prospects. Siakam said he plays to win and that medical advice guided his rest.

The NBA fined the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for violating the Player Participation Policy after the team sat Pascal Siakam in a game, a move the league said was part of a tanking strategy to secure a better draft pick.

Siakam, an All‑Star who leads the team in minutes, said he plays to win and that his rest was based on medical advice. Commissioner Adam Silver noted the violation and said the league is reviewing draft lottery options to curb such behavior.