UPDATE: The NBA has imposed a $250,000 fine on the Cleveland Cavaliers for breaching its player participation policy by resting All-Star guard Darius Garland during a nationally televised game against the Toronto Raptors on November 24, 2023. This marks the second fine the Cavaliers have received this season for similar violations, highlighting the league’s strict stance on player availability for key matchups.
In a statement, the NBA confirmed that Garland was fit to play in the game following a back-to-back set. He had participated in the previous night’s game against the LA Clippers but sat out against the Raptors—a game broadcast live on Peacock in the U.S. and Sportsnet in Canada. This decision to rest Garland has raised eyebrows, given his status as a star player under the league’s guidelines.
The Raptors capitalized on the Cavaliers’ absence, extending their winning streak to eight games with a decisive 110-99 victory, further complicating Cleveland’s season. Alongside Garland, the Cavaliers also missed players De’Andre Hunter (rest) and Jarrett Allen (sprained finger), which significantly impacted their performance.
This recent fine follows a $100,000 penalty issued to the Cavaliers on November 18 for resting both Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley against the Miami Heat on November 12. The league’s enforcement of these fines reflects its commitment to ensuring competitive integrity and fan engagement during high-profile games.
What’s next for the Cavaliers? As they continue to navigate their roster management with key players sidelined, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this impacts their upcoming games and playoff aspirations. The Cavaliers need to rally quickly if they hope to regain momentum in a tightly contested season.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.