The NBA fined the Utah Jazz $100,000 for failing to make star forward Lauri Markkanen available in recent games.
The league cited the Jazz's March 5 contest against Washington as an example but said there were other instances.
Markkanen has missed nine straight contests with what the team calls low back injury management. He's set to make his return Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies after originally being listed as questionable.
The NBA's player participation policy mandates that teams make their star players available for nationally televised games as well as the in-season tournament. A star player is defined by the league as any player who was an All-Star or made All-NBA selection in the previous three seasons. The policy also prohibits teams from shutting down such players for any long-term basis.
Markkanen was named an All-Star in 2022-23, his only selection to date.
The 27-year-old is averaging 19.3 points and 6.1 rebounds this season in 43 contests.
The Jazz are already eliminated from playoff contention. At 15-50, they possess the second-worst record in the NBA and are on pace for a three-way tie in which they would hold 14% odds of landing the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery.
