The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t had things go their way so far this season. The results haven’t been as expected, and they’ve had a difficult time staying healthy. Now, they’re being punished for how they’re resting players.
The league announced that the Cavs have been fined $250,000 for violating the Player Participation Policy by resting Darius Garland for their Nov. 24 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
The issue wasn’t that Garland didn’t play both ends of the back-to-back. That’s not something that would seem wise to do, considering how he’s moving on the court. The problem was that he didn’t play the nationally televised game based on the statement.
The Cavs chose to have Garland play against the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 23 in a game that was only broadcast locally and through League Pass. Their game the following night against Toronto was broadcast nationally on Peacock. Presumably, they wouldn’t have been fined if he had rested the game against the Clippers instead.
This is the second time that the Cavs have been punished for resting players. They were fined $100,000 for having both Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley sit out a game last month against the Miami Heat.
The Cavs are intending to rest Garland again for at least one of their games in the upcoming back-to-back this weekend. He’s listed as out for Friday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs. Presumably, he should be available for the team’s matchup the following night against the Golden State Warriors, which will be telecast on NBA TV.
Garland has played in eight games for the Cavs this season. He’s averaging 13.6 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.8 rebounds on .347/.340/.885 shooting splits.