Rick Carlyle statement on $100,000 fine after initial ‘no comment’

Tanking in the NBA has been a heated conversation this season, and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle had to manage that conversation carefully. Just eight months ago, the Pacers were on top of the basketball world, embarking on a thrilling run to the NBA Finals in which they knocked off the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics and the overwhelming favorite New York Knicks. They also took a dominant Oklahoma City Thunder team to a seven game series in the NBA Finals.

But in that seventh game, star point guard Tyrese Halliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon, all but certain to sideline him for the season. With the loss of Halliburton, the Pacers have struggled this season, going 15-40 in the Eastern Conference, just one spot ahead of the Washington Wizards.

Most recently, the NBA fined the Pacers $100,000 for violating its player participation policy on February 12th. The penalty was imposed because Pascal Siakam and two other starters were ruled out of the game, even though an independent league investigation found that all three could have played, even if they had reduced minutes. The Jazz ended up winning 131–122.

Carlisle spoke about the punishment in a call with reporters after the Pacers’ practice on Tuesday in comments received from the IndiStar.

“I have no idea,” he said. “And really no comment on that.”

Carlisle was asked if the team will change the way it handles player participation going forward.

“We will manage our situation as necessary. I am so proud of the way our players, organization and fans have approached an extremely challenging season,” Carlisle said. “We have been very consistent with the way we have approached everything this year, and the NBA is aware of that. Communication with the league office has been productive. We will move forward with the same emphasis on competitiveness and development that I spoke about at the media day on September 29, 2025,” he told IndiStar.

Although the team has struggled this season, the Pacers have been competitive in several games, including the Jan. 23 game victory over Thunder and an overtime win over the Knicks a few days before the All-Star break. The Pacers also made a major trade move, acquiring 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 imposed controls on player participation. Along with the Pacers, the Jazz were also 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 play the first of two games against the Wizards tonight at 7 p.m