More on Load Management
Kristian Winfield: Steve Nash says his preference is that Kevin Durant does not play tomorrow night in the second game of a back-to-back against Portland. The Nets will determine whether Kyrie Irving (groin) can play in the morning.
Dane Moore: Chris Finch says he has communicated to Timberwolves players that they will not be “unnecessarily resting” players down the stretch of the season. The focus is on building continuity, says Finch.
Dane Moore: All Timberwolves players (other than Malik Beasley) are active to play in tonight’s second game of a back-to-back. No rest shenanigans from the Wolves against a tanking Rockets team, who just shut down John Wall for the season and only had 8 active players in their last game.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Kawhi Leonard (foot), Patrick Beverley (hand), Serge Ibaka (back) and Luke Kennard (rest) are out tomorrow night. Rajon Rondo (wrist) is questionable.
Mike Trudell: Frank Vogel said the plan for the final 13 games is to try and keep everybody engaged ahead of the playoffs, potentially so that he can call upon certain guys in certain matchups when needed in the playoffs. He did the same thing last season, esp. in the bubble seeding games.
Gerald Bourguet: Jae Crowder (right ankle sprain) is out tomorrow against the Nets. So is Dario Saric (left ankle injury management), Langston Galloway (personal reasons) and Abdel Nader (right knee soreness)
Ohm Youngmisuk: Marcus Morris has been ruled OUT due to rest tonight against Houston.
David Hardisty: John Wall will play tonight and sit out tomorrow's game at Denver.
Mirjam Swanson: Nic Batum getting a rest day, Ty notes: "He deserves it."
Duane Rankin: Monty Williams said they haven't talked about resting guys as of yet. Talked about Chris Paul is someone you think about when talking about resting guys, but said the 35-year old (16-year NBA veteran) doesn't want to miss games. Williams said Phoenix is relatively young. #Suns
Tom Orsborn: Pop on March 21 about the decision to give Murray and Mills the night off in Cleveland. “We have been in constant contact with the league, and they’ve been great about understanding that sort of a situation,” Pop said. “They know full well what everybody is going through."
Tom Orsborn: Pop on DeMar, Patty & Jakob resting tonight: "As the season goes on, you look at schedule and minutes played and that sort of thing, people need to take a break. We did this with Dejounte a bit in the past and these guys need it tonight. They have hit the wall."
Alex Kennedy: The Toronto Raptors were fined $25,000 by the NBA:
Jonathan Feigen: Rockets guard John Wall listed as out in Orlando tomorrow, the first game of a back-to-back, for injury management. With Brown, Augustin, Gordon, House, Nwaba also out, Rockets down to three guards, Porter Jr., Bradley, Brooks.
Anthony Chiang: Erik Spoelstra on Goran Dragic sitting out the second night of back-to-back: "This is just something we want to monitor and be smart about." Spoelstra noted that Dragic is "feeling great."
Ohm Youngmisuk: Clippers say Marcus Morris is out due to rest tonight. He was just added to the injury report.
Malika Andrews: Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin (and James Harden) are all OUT tonight against the 76ers, according to the Nets' injury report. Kyrie Irving is not listed on the injury report and could play against the Sixers.
Andrew Greif: After playing 38 minutes in last night’s win against Indiana, Clippers star Paul George is *out* tonight vs. Detroit, for rest. Kawhi Leonard (sore right foot) also remains out.
Gerald Bourguet: Monty said the Suns aren't doing anything different from other teams to manage guys' work loads in this condensed season. Mentioned giving guys full off days and keeping practices as light as he's ever seen in the NBA
Eric Walden: Quin Snyder said the decision to rest Royce O'Neale comes down to him spending the most minutes in the league guarding opponents' top scorers. As for balancing rest vs. wins vs. improvement: "In order to be your best, you have to be as fresh as you can be."
Tom Orsborn: Pop, responding after @Jeff McDonald asked him about whether he can afford to rest guys given playoff chase: "Our guys get rest when they get injured… like Lonnie has gotten a lot of rest."
Andy Larsen: Jazz say Jordan Clarkson is still doubtful for tomorrow’s game. Also, Mike Conley is out due to hamstring management, they’ll play him on Tuesday instead on the B2B.
Aaron Rose: OG Anunoby is out tonight with rest
Chase Hughes: Wizards injury updates for tonight vs the Suns: Daniel Gafford will return Beal is doubtful Bertans is OUT due to rest
Eric Walden: Mike Conley: "I felt like I could play in every back-to-back, but that's why we have a staff — to protect me from myself. … But I told [the coaches] I was planning to play [vs. Portland] even before I knew Jordan was injured."
Josh Lewenberg: A few status changes for the Raptors in Cleveland tonight. Kyle Lowry, who was upgraded to questionable yesterday, is now doubtful. Pascal Siakam is OUT for rest in the first night of a back-to-back. Rodney Hood is now probable. VanVleet, Watson, Harris still out. Gillespie TBD.
Jonathan Feigen: Pat Beverley (sore left hand) and Paul George (rest) are out against the Rockets tonight. Clippers also list Rajon Rondo (sore right adductor) and Reggie Jackson (bruised right eye) as questionable.
Harrison Wind: Paul Millsap (rest) is out tonight against the Spurs. No Millsap means that JaVale McGee is likely in line for significant minutes.
Omari Sanfoka II: Dwane Casey said anytime a player misses a game because of rest, it's a decision from the medical staff. Plumlee and Ellington are out tonight due to rest, and Casey said he expects more instances of players resting down the stretch
Brian Lewis: Nash says James Harden will not be on a minutes restriction tonight vs. the #Knicks. Adds they would "love" to rest Blake Griffin on back-to-backs due to his injury history. #Nets #NBA
Josh Lewenberg: The Raptors have ruled OG Anunoby OUT for tonight's game in Houston - some load management on the 2nd night of a back-to-back.
Joe Mussatto: Lu Dort (left toe soreness) and Al Horford (rest) are listed as out tonight at Minnesota. Darius Bazley, George Hill and Josh Hall remain out with long-term injuries.
Tom Orsborn: Pop on resting Murray & Mills at end of a 5-game, 7-day road trip: "As you can imagine, it takes its toll. We just decided with this increased density in the schedule since the All-Star break we needed to help them stay in good shape."
Tom Orsborn: More from Pop on resting players: "We have been in constant contact with the league, and they've been great about understanding that sort of a situation. They know full well what everybody is going through. All in all, the decision to do this seemed like the right way to go."
Joe Mussatto: Darius Bazley (left shoulder contusion), Al Horford (rest), George Hill (right thumb surgery) and Josh Hall (left knee soreness) are out tonight at Chicago. Lu Dort (left toe sprain) is questionable. First time Horford will rest in consecutive games.
Kellan Olson: No Justise Winslow for the Grizzlies tonight against the Suns as they gradually work him back. He played yesterday in OKC. Cam Johnson (health and safety protocols) still out for the Suns.
Alykhan Bijani: #Rockets Injury/Status: Dante Exum (NWT-R Calf Strain) Eric Gordon (Out-R Groin Strain) Danuel House (Out-R Knee Contusion) Rodions Kurucs (NWT–L Oblique Strain) Davis Nwaba (Questionable–R Wrist Strain) Victor Oladipo (Out–R Quad; Injury Maintenance) PJ Tucker (NWT) John Wall (Out–L Knee Contusion) Christian Wood (Out–R Ankle Sprain)
Eddie Sefko: Rick Carlisle said that intermittent rest games will be a fact of life going forward. "There will be more of these in the second half of the season. This is certainly no disrespect to Oklahoma." He added that none of the rest games will be pre-announced.
Brad Townsend: Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic are listed as out for tonight's game against OKC. Doncic with right ankle "injury recovery" and Porzingis with left knee "injury recovery."
Connor Letourneau: Steve Kerr on sitting Draymond Green and Stephen Curry tonight: "Very easy. Draymond, we definitely didn't want to play a back to back on the ankle from the other night, and Steph just needs a rest."
Kendra Andrews: Steph Curry (rest) and Draymond Green (left ankle injury management) have officially been ruled out of tonight’s game at Phoenix. @Anthony Slater first reported earlier today. Kelly Oubre Jr. is listed as questionable with a left wrist sprain.
Joe Mussatto: Al Horford (rest) is out tonight. "It really comes down to our medical team," Horford said on deciding which night to sit on a back-to-back. "I just really lean on them and prepare when I need to go, and when I need to sit I'm there to support the guys."
Ryan Ward: Lakers officially rule out LeBron James, Anthony and Marc Gasol for tonight’s game vs. Kings: pic.twitter.com/7THmYOkAHc
Joe Mussatto: Daigneault on the decision to rest Al Horford on the front end of this back-to-back: "We do it purely based on what's physically best for him. He's very much a stakeholder in that process. To be honest with you, I'm not in the room even on those conversations."
Neil Dalal: With 38 games in 68 days in the second half of the schedule the Wizards will likely look for opportunities to rest Bradley Beal, Russell Westbrook, and maybe others at times (whether that be games off and/or limited minutes). Scott Brooks hinted at such just now.
Josh Lewenberg: OG Anunoby will not play tonight, the Raptors say. Sounds like they're giving him some rest in the 2nd night of a back-to-back as he works his way back from the calf injury.
Joe Mussatto: Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be available tonight after missing the last four games with a left knee sprain. Al Horford (rest) is out on the second night of a back-to-back.
Mirjam Swanson: Tyronn Lue on the Clippers' absent trio, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley: "They're doing better." On Pat: "Just being cautious and holding him out of back to backs."
Kristina Pink: Clippers Injury Report tonight vs Miami: Paul George (Bone Edema Right Toe), Kawhi Leonard (Left Lower Leg Contusion), and Patrick Beverley (Rest-Healthy) are all OUT.
Chris Fedor: #Cavs Andre Drummond (rest) is OUT tonight against Los Angeles Clippers.
Omari Sanfoka II: Blake Griffin is out tonight due to injury management
Fred Katz: Scott Brooks on what went into the decision to rest Beal tonight: "He needed some rest.” He adds it has to do with the tough schedule the Wizards are dealing with now. Washington has 16 games in 27 days and leaves on a west coast trip next week.
Paul Garcia: "He can't play back to backs," says Coach Pop of Derrick White as he returns from injury. Pop says White will be out for tomorrow's game against GSW.
Fred Katz: Scott Brooks on if Russell Westbrook will play in tomorrow’s game: "That’s definitely an option tomorrow. We don’t know yet. See how he feels tomorrow morning.” Westbrook has missed half of every back-to-back this year.
Joe Mussatto: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort and Theo Maledon are all available for the Thunder tonight. Darius Bazley (low back soreness) and Isaiah Roby (right foot soreness) are questionable. Al Horford (rest) is out.
