Cavaliers fined $250,000 for violating NBA’s player participation policy

The team was fined $250,000 for violating the NBA’s player participation policy by resting Darius Garland, the league announced on Thursday.

Cleveland rested Garland on the second night of a back to back against the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 24, which was a nationally televised game, and an NBA Cup game.

Garland played the night before against the Los Angeles Clippers, which was not a nationally televised game.

As per NBA policy, a star player is defined as anyone who has been on an all-star and/or All-NBA team in the last three seasons. Garland was an all-star last season and in 2022.