CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs’ big-picture decision to prioritize rest during a busy portion of the season has proven costly.
The NBA announced Tuesday that the organization has been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s Player Participation Policy.
The ruling stems from the Cavs resting Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley without any injury designation during the Nov. 12 matchup in Miami — the first game of a back-to-back and a game that occurred during a three-in-four-night stretch.
Mitchell and Mobley are both classified as “star players” under the league’s guidelines, and the NBA ruled the Cavs didn’t meet the required criteria to keep them out.
The Player Participation Policy, adopted prior to the 2023-24 season, is intended to promote participation and preserve the integrity of the NBA’s 82-game regular season.
Even without Mobley, Mitchell, Darius Garland (toe), Max Strus (foot surgery) and Jaylon Tyson (concussion), the Cavs rallied in the fourth quarter for a stunning 130-116 come-from-behind victory.
The next night Cleveland hosted the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
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