NBA Announces Punishment for Title Contender for Violating Policy

The NBA has come down hard on the Cleveland Cavaliers for load-managing its two All-Stars, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, during a game against the Miami Heat on November 12. In a press release on Tuesday, the NBA announced a $100,000 fine against the Cavaliers for sitting Mitchell and Mobley when both were healthy to play. “The NBA announced today that the Cleveland Cavaliers have been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s Player Participation Policy. The violation occurred when the Cavaliers held Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, who are both star players under the Policy, out of the team’s game against the Miami Heat on Nov. 12 for rest. “The Policy, which was adopted prior to the 2023-24 season, is intended to promote participation in the NBA’s regular season.” Cavaliers Could Be in 2026 NBA Finals The NBA implemented its Player Participation Policy in 2023 to address the leaguewide trend of star players participating in load management, particularly in games against weaker opponents, on the second night of back-to-backs or towards the end of the 82-game season. However, the league mandate has not prevented teams from routinely sitting out their best players, as the Cavaliers did on November 12. The Cavaliers last year finished with a 64-18 record, clinching the No. 1 seed in the East. And yet, they were eliminated in the second round by the Indian Pacers, in most part due to untimely injuries sustained by Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. As such, the Cavaliers, the odds-on favorites to represent the East in the 2026 NBA Finals, will likely ramp up their load management this year, to ensure their team is fully healthy entering the postseason next April. NBA’s Load-Management Problem Michael Jordan, who played all 82 games nine times in his career, is among the old heads who are appalled by teams routinely resting star players. During his appearance on NBC Sports’ “MJ: Insights to Excellence” last month, the G. O. A. T. did not hold back on his criticism of modern players and teams. “I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove. It was something that I felt like the fans are there that watch me play. I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his (butt) off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket.” Jordan recalled many nights when he willed himself to play, just so he could help his teammates by being on the floor and serving as a decoy for opponent defenses. “I was going to find a way to get out there, even if I was a decoy,” he recalled. “Well, once I got out there, you never know how pushing yourself you never know what happens, right? “Next thing you know, the emotions, the situation, the need of the team. All those things catapulted me to: ‘I’m going to gut this thing out.’”.
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