NBA hits back at Rick Carlisle’s wild rant
recently, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlyle made headlines by firing back in the NBA due to their franchise penalty, which revolved around the team sitting supposedly healthy players in an attempt to make plays. Carlisle claimed the league insisted the injured Aaron Nesmith play, going so far as to suggest medication, despite his ankle injury.
Now the NBA has hit back at Carlisle’s harsh words with its own display of events.
“Coach Carlisle’s description of the process that went into the decision to punish the Indiana Pacers is incorrect. An independent physician conducted the medical review,” a league spokesman said, per Brett Siegel on X, formerly Twitter, via The Athletic. “…The Pacers confirmed that they provided all information requested by the league, and the team reported that an interview with Coach Carlisle or the team physician was not necessary.”
It’s clear that Carlisle and the league’s front office are not on the same page about what happened with Nesmith.
The NBA has been trying to crack down on tanking in recent weeks, also fining the Utah Jazz a hefty amount for sitting healthy players as teams try to secure the best draft picks they can.
The 2026 NBA Draft class is considered loaded, and the process of teaming up with next year’s blue-chip prospects is certainly enticing for the Pacers.
All things considered, though, there seem to be more questionable tanking practices going on around the league than what’s going on in Indiana.
2026-02-24 20:53:00
