The stakes of this tank race are enormous for the Sixers, who’ll send their first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it falls outside of the top six. Unfortunately for them, the NBA’s player participation policy puts them at a severe disadvantage relative to their fellow tankers.

The NBA on Wednesday fined the Utah Jazz $100,000 for violating its player participation policy. According to the league, the violation occurred when the Jazz failed to make power forward Lauri Markkanen available when Utah took on the host Washington Wizards on March 5,

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,