- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
NBA Players Sit Out in Record Numbers as Playoffs Approach
Dozens of top stars, including recent MVPs, rested ahead of postseason
Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:10am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The NBA's growing 'load management' trend has led to a record number of star players sitting out games ahead of the playoffs.New Orleans TodayA record 168 NBA players sat out games on Friday night due to injuries, illnesses, or load management as teams prepare for the playoffs. Among those resting were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, the last two league MVPs, as well as other top stars like LeBron James. The high number of absences led to some unusual gameplay, including the Boston Celtics tying an NBA record by making 29 3-pointers in a game.
Why it matters
The high number of players sitting out reflects the growing trend of 'load management' in the NBA, where teams strategically rest their top players to keep them healthy for the playoffs. This has become a controversial issue, with some fans and commentators criticizing the practice as undermining the regular season. However, teams argue it is necessary to prevent injuries and preserve their star players for the postseason.
The details
On Friday night, a total of 168 NBA players were held out of games due to injuries, illnesses, or load management. This included recent MVPs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, whose teams faced off against each other. Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said they were resting their players since they had already clinched a playoff spot. Other notable players who sat out included LeBron James of the Lakers and Victor Wembanyama, who needed to play 20 minutes to be eligible for season awards.
- The NBA regular season is set to finish on Sunday, April 14, 2026.
- The 168 players sat out of action on Friday, April 12, 2026.
The players
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
A star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the 2024-25 NBA MVP.
Nikola Jokic
The 2023-24 NBA MVP who plays for the Denver Nuggets.
LeBron James
A veteran superstar player for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Victor Wembanyama
A rookie player who needed to play 20 minutes to be eligible for season awards.
Mark Daigneault
The head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What they’re saying
“If we didn't clinch [the No. 1 overall seed] coming into tonight, everybody would be playing. We've earned the right through 80 games to manage their bodies and stuff like that.”
— Mark Daigneault, Head Coach, Oklahoma City Thunder
What’s next
Jokic must play in the Nuggets' final game on Sunday if he wants to be considered for NBA awards this season.
The takeaway
The high number of NBA players sitting out games due to rest and injury management has become a growing trend, raising questions about the value of the regular season and the league's approach to player health and load management.
