Overview
- The league announced on Dec. 4 that Cleveland violated the policy in connection with the Nov. 24 game at Toronto.
- Garland sat out the Peacock-exclusive broadcast, which the Cavaliers lost 110-99, after playing the previous night against the Clippers.
- The policy requires star-designated players to be available for nationally televised games unless the league grants an approved reason.
- This was Cleveland’s second offense of 2025–26, following an earlier fine, and the schedule escalates from $100,000 to $250,000, with each further violation increasing by $1 million.
- Garland had toe surgery in June, returned in early November, and has not played both ends of any of Cleveland’s three back-to-backs since then.