The NBA has fined the Cleveland Cavaliers $250,000 for violating its player participation policy by resting All-Star guard Darius Garland in a nationally televised game against the Toronto Raptors. This marks the second such fine for the team this season. Garland sat out the November 24 matchup after playing the previous night.
The league announced the penalty on Thursday, following an investigation that confirmed Garland was fit to play in the back-to-back set. He had participated in Cleveland's home game against the LA Clippers on November 23 but was rested for the road contest in Toronto the next day. That game, broadcast on Peacock in the US and Sportsnet in Canada, ended with the Raptors defeating the Cavaliers 110-99, extending Toronto's winning streak to eight games.
This is the second violation for the Cavaliers this season. Earlier, on November 18, they were fined $100,000 for sitting Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley during a November 12 game against the Miami Heat. Garland qualifies as a star player under the policy, which aims to ensure key participants in high-profile games.
In addition to Garland's rest, Cleveland was without De’Andre Hunter, who was also resting, and Jarrett Allen, sidelined by a sprained finger, for the Toronto matchup. The fines highlight the NBA's ongoing enforcement of its participation rules to maintain competitive balance in marquee broadcasts.