Pacers
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle sounded far more supportive of the league this week when discussing the NBA’s push to curb tanking.
Carlisle had criticized the league after Indiana was fined $100,000 last month for how it managed player availability, with the NBA suggesting the Pacers and Jazz were prioritizing draft position over winning.
Speaking before Friday’s game in Los Angeles, Carlisle said he trusts the leadership of commissioner Adam Silver.
“I place every bit of trust I have in Adam Silver,” Carlisle said, via Sportsnaut. “He’s the ultimate leader. They have smart people around him and they think through everything.”
Carlisle also pushed back on the idea that tanking harms coaches. He pointed to Mark Daigneault and the Thunder as an example of how long-term rebuilding can pay off.
Mavericks
Mavericks forward Khris Middleton has been fined $25,000 for throwing his mouthpiece toward the stands during Thursday’s loss to the Magic.
The incident occurred midway through the third quarter after Middleton believed he was fouled by Jalen Suggs on a turnover. The mouthpiece landed near the Dallas bench before sliding toward assistant coach Jay Triano.
Middleton was assessed a technical foul during the game and later hit with the additional league fine.
International
Former NBA forward Darius Bazley is heading back overseas.
Bazley has signed with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association, according to Sportando.
The 25-year-old spent five seasons in the NBA, most notably with the Thunder, and last appeared in the league with the Jazz during the 2023-24 season.
Bazley had been attempting to revive his career after suffering a significant leg injury during last summer’s Las Vegas Summer League while playing for the Lakers entry.