### NBA Cracks Down on Load Management: Cavaliers Fined for Resting Stars The Cleveland Cavaliers have been fined $100,000 by the NBA for violating the league's Player Participation Policy. This penalty comes after the team rested All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley during a game against the Miami Heat on November 12, 2025. The NBA's policy, introduced at the start of the 2023-24 season, aims to ensure that star players participate in regular-season games, particularly to protect fans' interests and maintain the integrity of the league. The Cavaliers' decision to rest their healthy players was deemed a direct violation of this policy, prompting the fine from the league office [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/cleveland_cavaliers_fined_100k_by_the_nba_for_violating_policy/s1_17396_43090223][https://apnews.com/article/nba-cavaliers-fined-rest-policy-d3e88f57c2b9275120e84727f1aeb10d]. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Key Points 1. **Violation of Player Participation Policy**: The Cavaliers rested two healthy All-Stars, which is against the NBA's rules. 2. **Financial Penalty**: The team has been fined $100,000 as a consequence of this violation. 3. **Context of the Game**: The Cavaliers played the Miami Heat and won 130-116, despite missing key players. 4. **Impact on Fans**: The policy aims to ensure that fans see star players in action, especially during nationally televised games. 5. **Team's Response**: Despite the fine, the Cavaliers' management indicated they would not change their approach to player rest [https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-cleveland-fined-donovan-mitchell-evan-mobley-miami][https://www.fearthesword.com/cavs-news/40596/cavs-kenny-atkinson-nba-fine-cleveland-cavaliers-donovan-mitchell]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Fine Amount**: $100,000 imposed on the Cavaliers for the violation. - **Game Outcome**: Cavaliers defeated the Miami Heat 130-116 without Mitchell and Mobley. - **Policy Introduction**: The Player Participation Policy was established before the 2023-24 season to combat load management practices. - **Additional Absences**: The Cavaliers were also without Darius Garland, who was recovering from an injury [https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nba-cavaliers-fined-rest-policy-v18477][https://www.kpvi.com/news/national_news/cavs-fined-100-000-for-resting-mitchell-and-mobley-together/article_d2fc3fe5-d45b-5bb1-b0e4-4892ca504e66.html]. ### Conclusion: Implications of the Fine In summary, the NBA's fine against the Cleveland Cavaliers underscores the league's commitment to enforcing its Player Participation Policy. The decision to rest healthy All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley not only resulted in a significant financial penalty but also highlighted the ongoing debate around load management in professional sports. 1. **Policy Enforcement**: The NBA is serious about ensuring star players participate in games. 2. **Financial Consequences**: Teams face substantial fines for non-compliance. 3. **Fan Experience**: The policy aims to enhance the viewing experience for fans who expect to see top players. 4. **Team Strategy**: The Cavaliers may continue their approach to player management despite the fine, indicating a potential conflict between team strategy and league regulations [https://www.fearthesword.com/cavs-news/40565/nba-punishes-cavs-donovan-mitchell-evan-mobley-cleveland-cavaliers][https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/3402131/nba-fines-cavs-100-k-for-resting-all-stars-mitchell-mobley].