Rick Carlisle rips NBA for Pacers' tanking fine, says NBA suggested 'medicating' Aaron Nesmith to play injured
CBS Sports
by
Robby Kalland
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Rick Carlisle expressed strong dissatisfaction with the NBA's handling of the Pacers' tanking fine, particularly over the suggestion to have Aaron Nesmith play despite his injury. The NBA fined the Pacers $100,000 for resting Siakam and others in a game against the Jazz, whom they lost. Carlisle argued that the NBA lawyer on the call ignored their medical team's assessment of Nesmith's condition, who was injured the previous night and unable to hold the ball.
Carlisle highlighted the league's overreach by not consulting with Pacers' doctors or Nesmith himself, calling the suggestion to "medicate" him to play absurd. He emphasized that the NBA's process was flawed, prioritizing anti-tanking measures over player welfare. This conflict underscores the broader debate around tanking in the NBA, driven by teams aiming for better draft positions amid a competitive 2026 class.
The situation also raises questions about the fairness of the NBA's enforcement methods and
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/24/2026