Jazz Fined $100K for Violating NBA's Player Participation Policy with Lauri Markkanen

The NBA announced Wednesday it fined the Utah Jazz $100,000 for violating the league's player participation policy that was put in place before the 2023-24 campaign.

"The violation occurred when the Jazz failed to make Lauri Markkanen, a star player under the policy, available for the team's game against the Washington Wizards on March 5 at Capital One Arena, as well as other recent games," the announcement read.

Markkanen has not played since Utah's Feb. 22 win over the Houston Rockets.

The team listed the big man as questionable for Wednesday's contest against the Memphis Grizzlies because of "low back—injury management." It was part of a lengthy injury report that also listed Jordan Clarkson as questionable because of left plantar fasciitis.

As for the fine, ESPN's Bobby Marks explained Markkanen is considered a star under the player participation policy because he was an All-Star in 2023. 

He also noted that designation gives the league discretion to fine a team if someone who is considered a star under the policy either does not play in a nationally televised game, has a pattern of missing single games on the road or is shut down:

If the NBA fines Utah again for such a violation, the punishment will be a $250,000 fine.

Markkanen has appeared in 43 games this season and is averaging 19.3 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and 34.7 percent from deep. Those numbers are a drop-off from when he averaged more than 23 points and eight boards per night in each of the past two seasons with Utah.

At this point, the Jazz are playing out the string on the season with a 15-50 record. They are in last place in the Western Conference and will be in a better position to land the No. 1 pick and perhaps select Cooper Flagg if they continue to lose.