By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After ruling out Lauri Markkanen for nine straight games of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, the Utah Jazz were penalized by the NBA on Wednesday afternoon.
Per the press release: “The NBA announced today that the Utah Jazz organization has been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s Player Participation Policy. 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 Policy, which was adopted prior to the 2023-24 season is intended to promote participation in the NBA’s regular season.”
Keeping him on the injury list, the official reason for missing nine consecutive games, was low back injury management. The same explanation was also used earlier in the season with Markkanen being eventually cleared to play or instead sidelined.
The 27-year-old Finnish forward returned, shortly following the fine, lasting 28 minutes in a losing effort against the Memphis Grizzlies in FexExForum. He went for 14 points with 5/14 from the field and pulled down six rebounds.
With 16 games left, the Jazz rank last in the standings of the Western Conference with a 15-51 W-L tally. During the absence of Markkanen, they became the first team to be eliminated from the 2025 Playoffs.
The former Arizona standout joined the Jazz via trade before the 2022-23 season. He previously played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls.