This page explores the impact of load management in the NBA: does giving players more rest lead to better performance? Using data from top stars in the 2023–2024 season, I analyzed whether fewer minutes or missed games improve efficiency or output.
| Player Name | Team | MPG | Games Missed (Rest/Injury) | PPG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Embiid | 76ers | 34.0 | 25 | 34.7 | 53.3% |
| LeBron James | Lakers | 35.5 | 12 | 25.1 | 54.0% |
| Nikola Jokic | Nuggets | 33.7 | 5 | 26.3 | 58.0% |
| Stephen Curry | Warriors | 34.1 | 13 | 27.5 | 45.9% |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks | 34.2 | 10 | 30.8 | 61.7% |
| Jayson Tatum | Celtics | 36.1 | 4 | 26.8 | 47.2% |
| Luka Doncic | Mavericks | 37.4 | 7 | 34.4 | 48.9% |
| Kevin Durant | Suns | 37.2 | 14 | 27.8 | 52.6% |
| Anthony Davis | Lakers | 35.8 | 11 | 24.9 | 55.5% |
| Damian Lillard | Bucks | 35.6 | 10 | 24.7 | 42.6% |
| Devin Booker | Suns | 35.3 | 9 | 28.2 | 49.5% |
| Jimmy Butler | Heat | 34.0 | 16 | 21.4 | 45.5% |
| Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | 36.2 | 3 | 25.6 | 46.8% |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | 34.7 | 4 | 31.1 | 54.6% |
| Donovan Mitchell | Cavaliers | 35.0 | 10 | 28.0 | 47.1% |
Played only 39 games but led in PPG (34.7) and FG% (53.3%).
Logged 35.5 MPG over 42 games with a strong 25.1 PPG and 54.0% FG.
Maintained elite efficiency with 58.0% FG while playing more games and minutes than most stars.
Strategic rest can help short-term efficiency, but results vary. Joel Embiid missed 30+ games and led in PPG and FG%, while Stephen Curry also remained efficient with moderate rest. Meanwhile, durable stars like Jokic and LeBron posted high output despite playing most games. Rest benefits injury-prone stars but doesn’t guarantee improvement for everyone.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Edwards
Jimmy Butler
Stephen Curry
Devin Booker
Joel Embiid
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nikola Jokic
Kevin Durant
LeBron James
Damian Lillard
Luka Doncic
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Donovan Mitchell
Jayson Tatum