Cavs Hit with $250,000 Fine for Garland’s DNP in National Game

UPDATE: The NBA has just announced a hefty fine of $250,000 against the Cleveland Cavaliers for violating player participation rules by resting All-Star guard Darius Garland during a nationally televised game against the Toronto Raptors on November 24, 2023.

This penalty marks the second instance this season that the Cavaliers have faced repercussions for player rest violations. Earlier this month, they were fined $100,000 for sitting both Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley during a game against the Miami Heat on November 12.

The league’s investigation revealed that Garland was fit to play in a back-to-back situation, having participated in a home game against the LA Clippers just one day prior on November 23. Despite this, he did not take the court in Toronto, a game broadcast on Peacock in the U.S. and Sportsnet in Canada. The decision has sparked outrage among fans and analysts alike, raising questions about the Cavaliers’ commitment to fair competition.

In the absence of Garland, the Raptors capitalized on the opportunity, extending their winning streak to eight games with a decisive 110-99 victory over Cleveland. The Cavaliers also faced challenges without De’Andre Hunter, who was rested, and Jarrett Allen, sidelined with a sprained finger.

As the season progresses, the Cavaliers must now navigate the fallout from this fine and the implications for their roster management. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how this impacts their strategy moving forward.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.