The NBA has fined the Cleveland Cavaliers $250,000 for violating its player participation policy by resting guard Darius Garland during a nationally televised game against the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 24. This marks the second such infraction for the Cavaliers this season, following a $100,000 fine for sitting Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley against the Miami Heat earlier in November. The league determined Garland was able to play in the back-to-back set, having appeared in the previous game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The fine stems from the Cavaliers' decision to start Garland in their home game against the Clippers on Nov. 23, which they expected to win, and rest him the following night in Toronto. That Raptors matchup was broadcast on Peacock in the U.S. and Sportsnet in Canada. "The violation occurred when the Cavaliers failed to make Garland available for the team’s nationally-televised game on Nov. 24 and instead made him available on Nov. 23 which was not a nationally-televised game," the NBA stated.
Garland, considered a star player under the policy, has appeared in just eight of Cleveland's 23 games this season due to a lingering toe issue from last year's playoffs. The league's investigation confirmed he could have played both ends of the back-to-back. The Raptors won the game 110-99, with the Cavaliers also missing De’Andre Hunter for rest and Jarrett Allen due to a sprained finger.
This is the second violation for Cleveland, after resting Mitchell and Mobley—both All-Stars or All-NBA selections in the past three seasons—against the Heat on Nov. 12. The policy, implemented before the 2023-2024 season, limits teams to resting only one star player per game and aims to increase star availability, with Commissioner Adam Silver noting a 15% reduction in missed games by stars. Players must also play 65 regular-season games for award eligibility.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized player health post the first fine: "I gotta look at the Cavs’ best interest. I think my No. 1 job is to protect the health of our players." A third violation this season would cost the team $1.25 million.
