Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson minced no words on Wednesday regarding the NBA's $100,000 fine for resting Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley last week. Asked multiple times about the punishment, Atkinson initially left well enough alone before expressing his disagreement with the league's decision.

“I've got to look at the Cavs' best interest,” Atkinson said in his pregame press conference before the Cavs' matchup with the Houston Rockets.

“Fifteen games in 27 days, let that sink in to everybody. We're sitting here in our seats. But three back-to-backs. We're going into a fourth back-to-back. I think my No. 1 job is to continue to protect the health of our players. So, [it’s] kind of that simple.”

In the middle of a five-in-seven stretch, Atkinson shared that he wouldn

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