NBA Rumor: Load Management
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Tim Reynolds: Adam Silver suggests it’s time for financial incentives based on games played. He’s not wrong.
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Adam Silver on load management: I'm looking at RC Buford, you started this all
Ben Golliver: NBA commissioner Adam Silver on load management: “There’s nothing more frustrating also for our fans than having players, frankly, who aren’t injured following some program schedule for rest. I’m looking at [Spurs executive] R.C. [Buford], you started this all.” pic.twitter.com/AJTyHs4PX4
Devin Booker making his return for Game 6 with minutes restriction
Kellan Olson: Monty Williams said Devin Booker is playing tonight
Kellan Olson: Monty Williams said there will be a limit on Devin Booker’s minutes tonight. Wouldn’t say how many.
Stephen Curry returns to Warriors starting lineup
Anthony Slater: Warriors starting lineup for Game 5 is officially submitted Steph Curry Jordan Poole Klay Thompson Andrew Wiggins Draymond Green
Ohm Youngmisuk: Asked about Steph starting, Michael Malone jokingly faked liked he was shocked. Malone says they know who finishes games for them. He won’t overreact to any moves from Golden State.
Stephen Curry returning to starting lineup?
Anthony Slater: Steph Curry no longer has any minute restriction. Prevailing expectation is he will return to the Warriors starting lineup in Game 5, but Steve Kerr declined to reveal.
Anthony Slater: Steph Curry will come off the bench for a fourth straight game. Same starters for Warriors: Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney. They’ll try to sweep with Curry as a reserve the entire series.
Stephen Curry close to playing with no minute restriction
Anthony Slater: Steve Kerr said Steph Curry’s “very close” to having an unlimited minute restriction. Played 31 in Game 3. Unlimited would mean a return to the starting lineup. Kerr not revealing his starters pregame.
Stephen Curry to play with minutes restriction in return
Anthony Slater: Steph Curry will be on some sort of a minutes restriction in his return. No exact number yet. Kerr: “He’s not playing 30, 35 minutes.” He will start though and they’ll figure out the pattern from there.
Derek Bodner: Embiid, on his availability this year: “The more I play, the better it gets because if I’m playing every two days that means I don’t get out of shape, I keep continuing what I’ve been doing and I stayed healthier.” “Looking back at it, I don’t agree with load management.”
Jorge Sierra: Only five players played the full 82-game schedule this season. It’s the lowest number in NBA history. No All-Stars played the full schedule. Only the second time that happens. (First was 2016-17).
Steve Kerr on how to stop teams from resting stars: Cut back to 72-game schedule
Mark Haynes: Steve Kerr on stopping teams from resting their stars: “To me what makes the most sense is cutting back to maybe a 72 game schedule. Take 10 games off, and get more time to rest in between games. I think you’ll get teams to play their guys more often.”
Denver: Nikola Jokic (right wrist soreness) has been downgraded to questionable. Aaron Gordon (left hamstring management) has been downgraded to questionable. Monte Morris (left elbow soreness) has been downgraded to questionable. Will Barton (right knee soreness) has been downgraded to questionable. Zeke Nnaji (bilateral knee soreness) has been upgraded to questionable. Vlatko Cancar (right foot surgery) has been upgraded to questionable.
Milwaukee: Giannis Antetokounmpo (right knee soreness) has been downgraded to doubtful. Khris Middleton (left wrist soreness) has been downgraded to doubtful. Bobby Portis (left shoulder soreness) has been downgraded to doubtful. Brook Lopez (back injury maintenance) has been downgraded to doubtful. George Hill (right abdominal strain) has been downgraded to out.
Bulls resting stars for season finale
Chicago: DeMar DeRozan (rest) has been downgraded to out. Zach LaVine (left knee soreness rest) has been downgraded to out. Nikola Vucevic (rest) has been downgraded to out. Coby White (left toe sprain) has been downgraded to doubtful.
Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis out for Lakers season finale
Anthony Slater: No Klay Thompson tonight in San Antonio, resting on the front side of the back-to-back. Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr. will play, then rest in New Orleans tomorrow.
Anthony Slater: Klay Thompson, Otto Porter Jr. and Andre Iguodala won’t play both sides of this weekend’s Spurs, Pelicans back to back. Steve Kerr said he hasn’t decided which side which player will rest. May split them up.
Utah: Donovan Mitchell (rest) has been upgraded to available. Mike Conley (right knee injury maintenance) has been upgraded to available. Royce O’Neale (right thumb soreness) has been upgraded to available. Trent Forrest (left midfoot sprain) has been downgraded to out.
Phoenix: Devin Booker (low back soreness) has been upgraded to available. Chris Paul (right thumb injury management) has been upgraded to available. Deandre Ayton (right ankle soreness) has been upgraded to available. Jae Crowder (right ankle soreness) has been upgraded to available.
Aaron Rose: OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, and Yuta Watanabe are all out. Rest for Fred
Gerald Bourguet: Monty Williams said Deandre Ayton tweaked his ankle a bit last night like he did in Detroit, though it’s nowhere near as serious. Suns are resting 4 starters because of things that have “piled up on them” at this time of year
Golden State: Klay Thompson (right achilles tendon injury management) has been upgraded to available. Otto Porter (low back injury management) has been upgraded to available. Andre Iguodala (low back injury management) has been upgraded to available.
Devin Booker, Chris Paul resting against Clippers
Phoenix: Devin Booker (low back soreness) has been downgraded to out. Chris Paul (right thumb injury management) has been downgraded to out. Deandre Ayton (right ankle soreness) has been downgraded to out. Jae Crowder (right ankle soreness) has been downgraded to out.
Phoenix: Devin Booker (rest) has been upgraded to available. Deandre Ayton (rest) has been upgraded to available. Jae Crowder (right ankle soreness) has been upgraded to available.
LA Clippers: Paul George (right elbow injury maintenance) has been upgraded to available. Reggie Jackson (rest) has been upgraded to available. Marcus Morris (left knee soreness) has been upgraded to available. Nicolas Batum (left ankle soreness) has been upgraded to available.
Mark Haynes: Andre Iguodala will rest tomorrow night, per Steve Kerr.
Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton out tomorrow due to rest
Memphis: Desmond Bane (left ankle soreness) has been downgraded to doubtful. Jaren Jackson Jr (right thigh rtn from injury management) has been downgraded to doubtful. Steven Adams (left calf soreness) has been downgraded to doubtful. Tyus Jones (left hand soreness) has been downgraded to doubtful. Tyrell Terry (G League – two-way) has been upgraded to available. Yves Pons (G League – two-way) has been upgraded to available.
Golden State: Draymond Green (left low back injury management) has been upgraded to available. Klay Thompson (right achilles tendon injury management) has been upgraded to available. Otto Porter (low back injury management) has been upgraded to available. Quinndary Weatherspoon (left ankle soreness) has been upgraded to available.
Indiana: Malcolm Brogdon (rest) has been upgraded to questionable. Oshae Brissett (back sore) has been upgraded to available. Goga Bitadze (right foot sore) has been downgraded to questionable. Isaiah Jackson (headache) has been upgraded to questionable. Duane Washington Jr (right hip bruise) has been upgraded to questionable.
“We definitely have to manage Seth here,” said Nets head coach Steve Nash. “We don’t have the luxury to sit him all the time. If we have the choice, we really need (Seth), so we’ll see,” Nash said of his lead reserve. “We’ve just got to do the best we can and manage his health the rest of the way and hopefully, he can maintain a level of comfort playing through some discomfort.”
Rockets shutting down Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, Dennis Schroder for the season?
Christian Wood, Eric Gordon and Dennis Schröder were declared out before the game, as they likely will be for the balance of the season. The injuries were not invented. At this stage of the season, most players who have been playing regularly have something tight or sore.
With three regulars out, Daishen Nix and Usman Garuba will get extended playing time. “Very useful to see what those guys can do, get an opportunity to play against quality teams, get an opportunity to play together, like some of the guys that have been playing a bunch of minutes,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas said. “It’s a positive, because they’ve been working all year, drill work, go down to the G League and come back and more drill work. Now, they have an opportunity to play.”
Kendra Andrews: Steve Kerr says that Andre Iguodala will play about 15-17 minutes tonight. He hasn’t played since Feb 7, but the last time he played meaningful minutes was late January.
Draymond Green, Klay Thompson resting against Memphis
Golden State: Draymond Green (left low back injury management) has been downgraded to out. Klay Thompson (right achilles tendon injury management) has been downgraded to out. Otto Porter (low back injury management) has been downgraded to out. Gary Payton II (right knee soreness) has been downgraded to questionable. Andre Iguodala (low back injury management) has been upgraded to available.
Kendra Andrews: Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Otto Porter Jr. are “most likely” out tomorrow against the Grizzlies, Steve Kerr says.
Dave Early: Steve Nash says the team doesn’t have the luxury to rest Seth Curry when it might be ideal to. They’ll need to manage his health moving forwards given the ongoing ankle issue.
Omari Sanfoka II: Dwane Casey on Frank Jackson returning tonight: “No one has minute restrictions at all. He’s here. He went through practice yesterday and shootaround today. We’ll be smart with it and not have him out long stretches just to be prudent. But he should be 100%.”
Indiana: Malcolm Brogdon (rest) has been upgraded to available. Jalen Smith (illness) has been upgraded to questionable. Goga Bitadze (sore right foot) has been downgraded to questionable.
Chris Fedor: #Cavs Caris LeVert checks into the game wearing some of the brightest orange shoes I’ve ever seen. On another note, I’m told LeVert’s minute restriction has been lifted.
Gerald Bourguet: “It’s good to have him back.” Monty Williams said Chris Paul is officially in for tonight’s game and has a target minute range in mind, but can’t cookie cut it. He’s going to keep an eye on CP3, but it won’t he his usual minutes
James Boyd: Malcolm Brogdon will miss his second straight game for rest, per #Pacers.
Warriors resting Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Otto Porter Jr. tonight
Joel Embiid, James Harden returning against Lakers
Philadelphia: Joel Embiid (back soreness) has been upgraded to available. James Harden (left hamstring injury recovery) has been upgraded to available. Charles Bassey (G League – on assignment) has been downgraded to out.
Khobi Price: Meant to tweet this out earlier: Markelle Fultz won’t be available for tomorrow’s road game against the Thunder, per Jamahl Mosley. Fultz hasn’t played in back-to-back games since returning from his ACL injury last month.
Luka Doncic out against Houston
Callie Caplan: Mavs say Luka Doncic (right ankle soreness) won’t play tomorrow night vs. Rockets. Alt. text: some strategic rest before a weekend that includes a quick Pat Bev rematch and potential first-round preview vs. Rudy and the Jazz.
Chris Fedor: #Cavs guard Caris LeVert remains on a minutes restriction tonight against the Lakers, sources tell @clevelanddotcom. However, the number is going to be higher than it has been recently.
Brian Robb: Rob Williams getting the night off was a planned rest tonight per Ime Udoka.
Patrick Williams coming off bench with minute restriction in return
Darnell Mayberry: Patrick Williams will come off the bench and be on a 25 minute restriction, Bulls coach Billy Donovan says.
76ers being careful with Joel Embiid, James Harden workload
Tim Bontemps: Doc Rivers says Philadelphia is trying to be careful with both Joel Embiid and James Harden in managing them through the end of the regular season to have them as ready as possible for the playoffs.
76ers resting James Harden against Miami
Shams Charania: 76ers‘ James Harden (injury recovery, left hamstring) and Joel Embiid will be out tonight vs. Miami on second end of back-to-back.
Tom Orsborn: On if the season is too long, Pop said, “Fewer games spread out would be wise” to help keep players healthy. A reporter jokingly said, “We have this thing called load management.” Pop: “I remember a $250,000 lesson I experienced, so, yes, I am aware of load management.”
Tim Bontemps: Fred VanVleet is out tonight for Toronto, but Raptors coach Nick Nurse says he is going to play Monday in Chicago. VanVleet has been managing knee soreness for some time now, and Nurse says this is an injury management situation with Fred’s knee as far as him not playing today.
Austin Krell: There is no status update on either of Joel Embiid and James Harden for tonight’s game vs Toronto. Embiid remains questionable, Harden is not listed on the injury report. Doc Rivers had mentioned the possibility of getting them some rest as the regular season winds down.
John Karalis: Ime Udoka opens up the possibility of guys getting days off, especially on the 3 remaining back-to-backs. “we’ll look at those dates and talk to the guys, see how they feel, and talk to the medical staff and so it’s a full collaborative effort to figure out what’s best for us.”
LA Clippers: Reggie Jackson (rest) has been upgraded to available. Marcus Morris (rest) has been upgraded to available. Robert Covington (personal reasons) has been upgraded to available.
Josh Lewenberg: LeBron is a true game-time decision vs the Raptors. Lakers had talked about giving him some rest in back-to-backs but he’s going to warm up and they’ll make a call from there.
Raptors resting Fred VanVleet against Nuggets
Kristaps Porzingis resting against Portland
Washington: Kristaps Porzingis (right knee injury maintenance) has been downgraded to out. Isaiah Todd (G League – on assignment) has been downgraded to out.
Utah: Mike Conley (rest) has been downgraded to out. Trent Forrest (right wrist sprain) has been downgraded to out.
Orlando: Markelle Fultz (left knee injury management) has been upgraded to available. Ignas Brazdeikis (G League – two-way) has been upgraded to available. Admiral Schofield (G League – two-way) has been upgraded to available.
Golden State: Stephen Curry (left hand soreness) has been upgraded to available. Andrew Wiggins (left foot soreness) has been upgraded to available. Klay Thompson (right achilles tendon injury management) has been upgraded to available.
Josh Robbins: Rui Hachimura will be available to play tonight, Wes Unseld Jr. said. In addition, Thomas Bryant, playing on his first back-to-back after his return from knee surgery, will play between 16 to 18 minutes tonight.
Alex Schiffer: Steve Nash doesn’t expect to give LaMarcus Aldridge or Nic Claxton a ton of run tonight. They’ll play, but probably not over 30 minutes.
Paul Garcia: Tomas Satoransky is not on the Spurs injury report. Collins (ankle), KBD (face laceration), Richardson, Langford, and Dragic all OUT
Anthony Slater: Nemanja Bjelica will return tonight for the Warriors. Otto Porter is resting. Andre Iguodala remains out. No other notables on the injury report vs Knicks. RJ Barrett is out.
Mark Haynes: Steve Kerr on Klay Thompson: “I think he looks every bit as good as he ever has. He still has a little more time to go before we can get him up to the 34, 35-minute mark, but he looks fantastic and it’s really exciting.”
Anthony Slater: Kevon Looney is expected to play tonight, per Steve Kerr. Otto Porter will play tonight, rest tomorrow. Jordan Poole will start in Klay Thompson’s place vs Jazz.
Jay Allen: #Blazers announce that Josh Hart (rest) is out for tonight’s game against the #Lakers.
Kendra Andrews: Klay Thompson will not play tomorrow against Utah, but he will be active against New York on Thursday. Otto Porter Jr. will play in one of the two games, but Kerr hasn’t decided which game.
Kendra Andrews: Steve Kerr says Klay Thompson’s minute restriction will be bumped up to 30 minutes tonight.
Fred Katz: Kemba Walker will rest tonight in Utah, Tom Thibodeau says. First night of a back to back for the Knicks.
Tom Orsborn: Pop on whether there will be any restrictions on Collins tonight: “That’s a good question. I didn’t even ask. I probably should. I will…I don’t think so. He’s been playing, what, 4 or 5, 6 G League games? I think he’s fine.”
Joe Cowley: According to Donovan, LaVine agreed in taking the night off with the back and coming off knee soreness, especially with all the games before the All-Star Break.
Rob Schaefer: Billy Donovan said Bulls are comfortable pushing Javonte Green’s minutes to 30 if needed. He’s been between 23-25 since returning from groin injury
Connor Letourneau: As expected, Klay Thompson will rest the back end of the back to back tomorrow.
January 29, 2023 | 7:45 am EST Update
Trey Murphy invited to NBA dunk contest

Andrew Lopez: New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III has been invited to the NBA dunk contest, multiple sources tell ESPN.
Anthony Davis rips officiating after loss to Celtics: 'We got cheated'

“As much as you try not to put it on the officiating, it’s becoming increasingly difficult,” Ham said. “There’s a bunch of stuff we could have did better in this game, but for the most part, we competed our behinds off, played the right way, played together, stayed aggressive, playing down, playing in the paint. And it’s unfortunate that the game ends off a play like that.” “We got cheated,” forward Anthony Davis said.
“He fouled him. He fouled him. Clearly. Clearly,” said Davis, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds in his second game back from injury. “It’s bulls—. But at the end of the day, like, it’s unacceptable. And I guarantee nothing is gonna happen to the refs. We got cheated tonight, honestly. It’s a blatant foul. Pat [Beverly] got all ball on I think Brown — Jaylen Brown. They call a foul. And Bron gets smacked across the arm [and they don’t]. It’s unacceptable, to be honest. The refs were bad. They were bad tonight.”
SportsCenter: Patrick Beverley really brought a camera out to the floor.
Lewis did not care for Beverley’s attempt to provide evidence of the foul and gave him a technical foul. As Beverley walked back to the Lakers bench, he held the camera in the air while pointing at it and looking back at Lewis. “I mean, just ridiculous,” ABC’s Mike Breen said. “And Eric Lewis rightfully T’s him up.”
Sources not authorized to speak publicly said the Lakers were quickly informed by NBA officiating staff after the game that a foul should’ve been called on the play. Later, crew chief Eric Lewis said the officials should’ve whistled a foul. “There was contact,” he told a pool reporter. “At the time, during the game, we did not see a foul. The crew missed the play.”