On Thursday, the NBA came down hard on the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for prioritizing draft position over winning, according to the league.

The Jazz were handed a $500,000 fine for how the team handled their star players, Lauri Markkanen and newly acquired Jaren Jackson Jr., when the Jazz decided not to play both of them in the fourth quarter of two contests on Feb. 7 versus the Orlando Magic and on Feb. 9 versus the Miami Heat. Against the Magic, the Jazz entered the fourth quarter with a 7-point lead and lost 120-117. Against the Heat, they led by three heading into the fourth quarter and went on to win 115-111. This led to one of the NBA’s biggest fines ever.

The Pacers were fined $100,000 for violating the Player Participation Policy in a game against the Jazz on Feb. 3. The NBA investigated the situation and discovered that Pascal Siakam and two other Pacers starters were ruled out despite being medically able to play. The Pacers went on to lose the game 131-122.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke on the situation, saying, “Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition, and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games.”

Tanking has been an issue across the league for quite some time, and the NBA continues to try to combat teams that intentionally lose games to improve their draft position.

There has been an increase in tanking this season because of how talented this upcoming draft class is with stars such as Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson.

The Indiana Pacers filed a complaint with the NBA Wednesday night concerning 78 calls and non-calls in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The team claims that the referees have made a preponderance of errors that have helped the second-seeded Knicks take a 2-0 series lead.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told reporters after Game 2, a 130-121 Knicks win that he had been holding out hope for improved officiating since the team’s Game 1 loss Sunday. He was disappointed and claimed that his team never had a serious chance.

“I can promise you that we’re going to submit these [complaints] tonight,” Carlisle said after Game 2. “New York can get ready. They’ll see ’em too. I’m always talking to our guys about not making it about the officials, but we deserve a fair shot.”

In recent years, the NBA has faced increasing scrutiny concerning referees’ decisions as the league updates its instant replay rules. In a fast-paced game like basketball, fans at home have a very different viewing experience than referees on the floor. Referees are also central to many fans’ conspiracy theories about game fixing, fueled by the 2007 Tim Donaghy scandal and other minor incidents.

The Pacers are merely questioning the referees’ competence in their complaint to the NBA, arguing that the calls have been skewed heavily in favor of their opponent. Several outside spectators partially agree with Indiana’s assessment, especially concerning a blatant error at the end of Game 1 in which a potential Pacers steal was instead called a kicked-ball violation.

But while some in the Pacers organization are focused on ensuring fairness from referees, others, like Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton, claim that the team could have avoided both losses by playing better. After scoring just six points in Game 1, the All-Star bounced back in Game 2 and scored 34.

“Let’s not pretend like [officiating] is the only reason we lost. We just didn’t play good enough,” Haliburton said. “We just got to be better.”

As the Milwaukee Bucks stand on the brink of elimination Thursday night, their star players remain questionable to return. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are reportedly working toward a potential return in Game 6 on the road against the Indiana Pacers, but they do not yet have an official status.

“I don’t know how to answer that,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said when asked for injury updates. “I know I hope [to have them on the floor again in the series]. I think they’re very, very, very close.”

Despite finishing the season as the third seed in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks have suffered a litany of injuries to key players before and during their first-round matchup against the Pacers. Antetokounmpo has not yet appeared in the first five games, leaving Lillard and Khris Middleton to lead the team on the floor. Middleton has had to play through a setback he suffered in Game 2, while Lillard was heroic in the first three games before missing Games 4 and 5 with an Achilles strain.

“[Antetokounmpo] didn’t do a lot [at shootaround],” Rivers said during a press conference before Game 6. “Did some shooting again. Did more after I left, but I didn’t see it. Dame didn’t do anything.”

After the press conference, Lillard took the floor for shooting practice, and his status has since been upgraded to questionable.

Milwaukee has managed to claw its way back to a 3-2 series deficit without its major contributors, which is a feat in itself, as the Pacers have done them no favors while trying to spring the upset. Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton has led the team throughout the series, particularly in a Game 3 overtime victory in which he scored 18 points with 10 rebounds and 16 assists.

Even if Antetokounmpo and Lillard return, the Bucks will have to win two straight games, one on the road and one at home, to advance to the second round. A loss in the first round would be an unfortunate result for a team pegged as a serious championship contender before the 2023-24 season.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff situation darkened even further in Game 2 of the first round Tuesday when guard Khris Middleton went down with an ankle injury. With star Giannis Antetokounmpo already sidelined, the team now has to deal with two uncertain injury statuses for starters entering Game 3 on Friday.

Though Middleton managed to play through his injury in Game 2, taping up his ankle and playing 36 minutes, he has reportedly not practiced since. Bucks coach Doc Rivers had very little to offer after practice Thursday.

“It’s another holding our breath situation,” Rivers said. “So, honestly, I don’t know.”

Rivers was slightly more optimistic about Antentokounmpo’s status. The star big man missed both games in the first round to recover from a calf strain. Still, it remains unclear when he will be available to play.

“He’s getting close,” Rivers said Thursday. But I don’t know what that even means. I’m being honest. I saw him moving around, and in my mind, I said he’s getting close. Does that mean a day or four days? I’m not sure.”

While Milwaukee piles up injuries to star players, the Indiana Pacers have taken full advantage, winning Game 2 in a 125-108 blowout to even the series. The sixth seed is led by emerging star Tyrese Haliburton, who has not performed brilliantly in the series thus far but has nevertheless facilitated well on offense.

Before the season, the Bucks were one of a handful of teams that could have reasonably won an NBA Championship following the addition of star point guard Damian Lillard. Now, Lillard may have to reassume his role on the Trail Blazers, that of a lone hero, to get this super team through the first round.

If the Pacers successfully upset the Bucks and move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinal, it will be the team’s first trip beyond the first round since 2014.

At least one player on the Los Angeles Lakers is frustrated that the NBA is barring the team from wearing their black City Edition uniforms during the final games of the In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas. The league claims that the uniforms create a concerning contrast with the red and blue court that will be used in the T-Mobile Arena.

“That’s a–,” the unnamed Lakers player reportedly said after the announcement.

The Lakers are undefeated in the four games they’ve played in their City Edition uniforms and most recently wore them in a 106-103 win over the Suns on December 5 to advance in the tournament. It makes sense that Los Angeles is superstitious ahead of a semifinal matchup against the Pelicans, but LeBron James and company will have to make do in their primary yellow uniforms.

Los Angeles is not the only team facing uniform restrictions, as the Pacers have also been barred from wearing their black City Edition uniforms in their semifinal game against the Bucks. Indiana has won all five games in which the team has worn them and is winless in three games with the gold alternates players will wear instead.

Though uniform restrictions have been met with several minor criticisms from players and fans, the first rendition of the In-Season Tournament has been largely successful. Players have praised the format, ratings are reportedly up and some arenas have enjoyed playoff-like atmospheres early in the regular season.

“NBA basketball has never been more fun in November and early December than it has been this year,” Stan Van Gundy said on a Pelicans-Kings broadcast Monday night. “And I’m not sure it’s ever been more intense. I mean, these guys want these games.”

For reaching the semifinals, every player on the Lakers, Pelicans, Bucks and Pacers are guaranteed to receive $100,000. Players on the runner-up team will receive $200,000 each, while champions will receive $500,000 each.

On Wednesday, the Miami Heat announced that their superstar center, Bam Adebayo, will undergo thumb surgery. The announcement was made following Adebayo suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right thumb during Monday night’s 120-111 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

The team said he will have the procedure this weekend. The timetable for his return is not expected to be finalized until after the surgery is complete. However, the initial prognosis from the team calls for him to miss between four and six weeks. If Adebayo is out for this time interval, he will miss 20 to 25 games.

Adebayo, 24, has become one of the NBA’s top centers across his five seasons with the league. Unfortunately, this torn UCL happens to be the first injury he sustained throughout his NBA career so far.

Adebayo has had a successful season so far, leading Miami in rebounds with 10.2 rebounds. He also leads in scoring with 23.6 points and steals with 2.1. With that being said, the Miami Heat will miss Adebayo and have already struggled since they are also missing superstar Jimmy Butler and guard Tyler Herro.

While Adebayo is injured, veteran Dewayne Dedmon will take his place in Miami’s starting lineup. Across three starts this season, Dedmon is averaging 5.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in 21 games.

Miami has lost two straight home games and is about to hit the road to face off against the Pacers on Friday night in Indiana. Just as Miami is slumping, so is the Indiana Pacers. Indiana has lost three straight home games and is just 6-5 at home this season.

The Lakers lost to the Pacers Tuesday night 105-102, but no one can deny, LeBron James put on a show.

At the end of the first quarter, James took a pass from Alex Caruso on the move and drove to his left where Pacers Center Myles Turner and Justin Holiday stood to meet him in the paint. He appeared to be caught in mid air as Turner jumped to block his shot. James gripped the ball with two hands and attempted to score before making a left-handed pass behind his head to Dwight Howard for the slam.

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The “King” wasn’t done yet. With a minute gone by in the second quarter, James was in the corner of the floor as Rajon Rondo was dribbling at the top of the arc. James guarded by Holiday, faked running to the three point line before going back door and catching an alley-oop pass from Rondo for a reverse dunk highlight.

James finished the game with 20 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Anthony Davis was in street clothes on the bench nursing a sprained ankle injury.

The Pacers were at full strength as fourth-year power forward Domantas Sabonis lead the team with 26 points, ten rebounds and four assists.

Compared to last season, James seems to have discovered the “fountain of youth” and has been enjoying himself more on the court. Although, it’s easy to feel that way when you’re the best team in the Western Conference at 24-4. But not only that, things are more stable this year. Everyone appears to understand their role, and if they remain healthy, the rest of the league is in big trouble.

The Lakers continue their road trip on Thursday in Milwaukee, before coming back to Los Angeles for a two-game homestand against the Nuggets and Clippers.

The Chicago Bulls played host to the Indiana Pacers at the United Center in Chicago last night for an NBA preseason game with the Bulls going on to win the game 103-94 against the Pacers to have their preseason record go on to 3-4 while the Pacers still garner a winning record at 4-2.

Bulls point guard Aaron Brooks led the Bulls scoring with 22 points while five other Bull players, including center Pau Gasol and Jimmy Butler all finished with double-digit points as well. Pacers forward Paul George recorded a double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds with teammates Monta Ellis and Ian Mahinmi both recording 14 points.

Outside of the preseason game last night, Bulls star player Derrick Rose still has not participated in a full contact practice but is making progress after going through a workout Tuesday afternoon. Rose is dealing with a broken left orbital bone in his eye but Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg said he was “very encouraged” by the way Rose has been improving.

The last preseason game for the Bulls will happen this Friday against the Dallas Mavericks in Lincoln, Neb., before their season home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 27.

Photo: Aaron Brooks