Skip to content

David Griffin: NBA 'not happy' that Cavs sat Big 3 vs. Clippers

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA is not happy with the Cleveland Cavaliers' decision to sit their Big 3 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Cavaliers general Manager David Griffin said he heard from the league shortly after Cleveland announced that LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving would not be playing in Saturday's contest, adding that the NBA made it abundantly clear that they were less than thrilled with the team's decision.

"Seven minutes after it was announced," Griffin told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "Yeah, they were not happy."

While Griffin understands the league's frustrations, he notes that LeBron was the only player who was truly healthy, as Love and Irving were both nursing injuries.

"I feel bad for the league," Griffin said. "I really do. But it is what it is for us from an injury standpoint."

"We literally had 1 guy rest tonight and everybody else was reasonably injured. I don’t feel like we did anything terribly egregious," he added.

Commissioner Adam Silver has previously stated that he'd prefer that teams rest their stars at home, sympathizing with fans who spend hundreds of dollars to see their favorite players from opposing teams.

The Cavaliers, unsurprisingly, struggled without their star trio on Saturday, falling 108-78 to the Clippers.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox