UTAH JAZZ FINED $100,000
NEW YORK, March 12, 2025 – 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.
NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER’S STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF JUNIOR BRIDGEMAN
NEW YORK, March 11, 2025 – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Milwaukee Bucks minority owner, NBA Africa investor and former NBA player Junior Bridgeman:
“I am devastated to learn of the sudden passing of Junior Bridgeman. Junior was the ultimate entrepreneur who built on his impactful 12-year NBA playing career by becoming a highly respected and successful business leader. He served as a mentor to generations of NBA players and athletes across sports who were eager to learn from him about what it takes to thrive in the business world. Junior was a dedicated member of the NBA family for 50 years – most recently as a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, an investor in NBA Africa and as a player who set the standard for representing the league and our game with class and dignity.
“We express our heartfelt condolences to Junior’s wife, Doris, their children, Eden, Justin and Ryan, the Bucks organization, and his many friends and admirers in the basketball community.”
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC: Boston Celtics Victory Over Los Angeles Lakers was Most-Watched NBA Regular-Season Game Across Any Platform in Seven Years (Excluding Christmas)
Average Audience: 4,605,000 Viewers; Peak Audience: 5,342,000 Viewers
ESPN’s coverage of the Boston Celtics 111-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on the March 8 edition of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop averaged 4,605,000 viewers, making it the most-watched regular season NBA game in seven years, since 2018 (excluding Christmas). The broadcast was up 92 percent from last year’s comparable game window.
According to Nielsen, NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop – the premier, national NBA game of the week – broadcast peaked with 5,342,000 viewers from 9:15-9:29 p.m. ET. The Celtics vs. Lakers game was available across ABC, ESPN+ and Disney+.
The Celtics vs. Lakers game on ABC was the most-watched program in primetime for Saturday March 8. ESPN’s NBA viewership for the 2024-25 regular season is even with last year.
The Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry host the New York Knicks and Karl Anthony-Towns on the March 15 edition of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop at 8:30 p.m. ET. Mike Breen and analysts Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson will provide commentary with Lisa Salters reporting.
PACERS’ PASCAL SIAKAM FINED
NEW YORK, March 9, 2025 – Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam has been fined $25,000 for confronting and directing profane language toward game officials, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred after the end of the fourth quarter of Indiana’s 120-118 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on March 8 at State Farm Arena.
MIAMI’S BAM ADEBAYO FINED
NEW YORK, March 8, 2025 – Miami Heat center-forward Bam Adebayo has been fined $50,000 for making inappropriate contact with and directing profane language toward a game official, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred after the end of the fourth quarter of Miami’s 106-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 7 at the Kaseya Center.
KINGS’ DEMAR DEROZAN FINED
NEW YORK, March 7, 2025 – Sacramento Kings guard-forward DeMar DeRozan has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of the officiating, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
DeRozan made his comments to the media following the Kings’ 116-110 loss to the Denver Nuggets on March 5 at Ball Arena.
Photos: New Orleans Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin; Pelicans Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Swin Cash; NBL Executive Director & Owner Larry Kestelman; and NBA Asia Head of Strategy Rajah Chaudhry (Credit: NBL)
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS TO PLAY TWO NBL TEAMS IN
FIRST NBA GAMES IN AUSTRALIA THIS OCTOBER
- Pelicans to Play Preseason NBA Games in Melbourne Against NBL’s Melbourne United and
South East Melbourne Phoenix on Oct. 3 and 5 -
- Fans Can Register Interest in Tickets Here -
MELBOURNE, March 10, 2025 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) today announced that the New Orleans Pelicans will play two preseason games against NBL teams in Melbourne this October, marking the first NBA games in Australia. The Pelicans will play Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix in Melbourne Park on Friday Oct. 3 and Sunday Oct. 5, 2025, with the NBL serving as the official promoter and organizer of the Melbourne Series.
In addition to the games, the NBA, the NBL and the Pelicans will conduct NBA Cares community outreach initiatives and lifestyle events leading up to and during the week of the games, including a Fan Night on Saturday Oct. 4. The NBA and the NBL also plan to expand their grassroots basketball development efforts in Asia-Pacific at the youth and elite levels in the coming years.
The announcement was made today in Melbourne by New Orleans Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin, NBL Executive Director & Owner Larry Kestelman, and NBA Asia Head of Strategy Rajah Chaudhry.
The Pelicans currently feature two-time NBA All-Star Zion Williamson, 2022 NBA All-Star Dejounte Murray and 2015-16 Kia NBA Most Improved Player CJ McCollum. Tickets for the games and surrounding events will go on sale at a later date. Fans can register their interest and gain access to presale information and more here.
The announcement builds on the NBA and NBL’s prior collaborations that began in 2016. Seven NBL teams have traveled to the U.S. to play 24 preseason games against NBA teams. The NBA twice collaborated with the NBL to host Basketball Without Borders, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program, in Australia (2016 in Melbourne and 2024 in Perth). To date, nine players from the NBL’s Next Stars program have been drafted directly from the NBL into the NBA, including Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City Thunder), Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls), LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets), and 2024 No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards). A record four Next Stars were selected in the 2024 NBA Draft: Sarr, AJ Johnson (Wizards), Bobi Klintman (Detroit Pistons) and Ariel Hukporti (New York Knicks).
NBA games and programming reach fans in Australia on ESPN and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service available via the NBA App. Fans in Australia can shop for the latest NBA merchandise at NBAStore.com.au, the official online NBA Store in Australia. For more information about the NBA, fans in Australia can visit The Sporting News Australia, download the NBA App and follow the NBA on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. For more on the NBL, fans can visit NBL.com.au.
Executive Quotes:
New Orleans Pelicans Governor Gayle Benson:
“We are honored to be part of this historic occasion for basketball in Australia. This collaboration with the NBL and NBA to bring the Pelicans to Melbourne provides an exceptional opportunity to engage with our global fanbase and share the rich spirit and culture of New Orleans with basketball fans in the region. We look forward to competing against Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix, and collaborating with the NBA and NBL to inspire and develop the next generation of athletes across the Asia-Pacific region.”
New Orleans Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha:
“This is an exciting moment for our organization and a testament to the growing global impact of the NBA. Bringing the Pelicans and NBA to Australia for the first time is a proud milestone, and we are thrilled to be part of this unique opportunity to engage with fans in Melbourne. We look forward to competing against two outstanding NBL teams and creating unforgettable memories for our fans. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a lasting connection between the Pelicans and the basketball community in Australia.”
NBL Executive Director Larry Kestelman:
“The significance of this announcement for basketball in Australia and the NBL can’t be overstated. Hosting an NBA team in Australia has been a long-held dream for everyone at the NBL, and to see this initiative finally come to fruition after a 15-year journey shows that much can be accomplished when you ‘Dream Big’. I want to thank Adam Silver, Mark Tatum, Michael Ma and the team at the NBA for being open to this amazing vision and for their continued support of our League.”
NBA Asia Head of Strategy Rajah Chaudhry:
“These historic games and the surrounding events will not only be a celebration of basketball but will also serve as a catalyst for the continued growth of the game in Australia. We look forward to working with the Pelicans and the NBL to make this a memorable week for the teams, players and most importantly the fans.”
CAVALIERS’ TY JEROME FINED
NEW YORK, March 3, 2025 – Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of the officiating, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
Jerome made his comments to the media following the Cavaliers’ 133-129 overtime victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on March 2 at Rocket Arena.
GRIZZLIES’ JA MORANT FINED
NEW YORK, March 2, 2025 – Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been fined $25,000 for throwing the game ball into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred at the conclusion of the third quarter of Memphis’ 114-113 loss to the New York Knicks at FedExForum on Feb. 28.
To view the incident, click here.
TIMBERWOLVES’ ANTHONY EDWARDS FINED
NEW YORK, March 1, 2025 – Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been fined $35,000 for failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection and throwing the game ball into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred after Edwards received his second technical foul and was ejected in Minnesota’s 111-102 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 27 at Crypto.com Arena.
To view the incident, click here.
TIMBERWOLVES’ ANTHONY EDWARDS SUSPENDED
NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2025 – Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been suspended one game without pay for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2024-25 season, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended without pay for an additional game.
Edwards received his most recent technical foul with 5:21 remaining in the third quarter of the Timberwolves’ 111-102 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 27 at Crypto.com Arena. The incident marked Edwards’ second technical foul of the game, resulting in his ejection. Edwards will serve his suspension tonight when the Timberwolves visit the Utah Jazz at Delta Center.
To view the incident, click here.
