The NBA has formally responded to Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle’s recent criticism of the league’s $100,000 fine against the franchise, calling Carlisle’s characterization of the investigative process “inaccurate” and outlining who the league says was involved in the review.
In a statement issued through a league spokesman, the NBA said an “independent physician led the medical review,” and added that the Pacers’ general manager and the team’s senior vice president of sports medicine and performance were interviewed during the process. The league also said Indiana confirmed it provided the information that was requested, and that the team reported an interview with Carlisle or a team physician “wasn’t necessary.”
Carlisle had gone public with his strongest remarks on the matter during a weekly radio appearance, saying the investigators did not speak with team doctors or the player, and describing the league’s conclusions about Aaron Nesmith’s availability as “ridiculous,” while also expressing surprise at the nature of the questioning during the review.
The fine itself was announced by the NBA on February 13, tied to Indiana’s February 3 game against the Utah Jazz. The league said that after an investigation, “including review by an independent physician”, it determined Pascal Siakam and two other Pacers starters who sat out “could have played” under the medical standard in the Player Participation Policy, including in reduced minutes, and that the team could have held players out of other games in a way that better promoted compliance.
