As the NBA season winds down, several stars across the league won’t participate in Friday night’s games.
Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving are just some of the stars who won’t play. Teams across the league have made some shocking decisions as far as resting top talents across the Association. Namely, the Dallas Mavericks, who will rest Irving and four other key contributors on the team. This is despite the fact that if the Mavs lose to the Chicago Bulls, they are eliminated from NBA Playoffs contention.
Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, Maxi Kleber, and Christian Wood are the Mavs who will rest against the Bulls.
Mavericks say Kyrie Irving (right foot injury recovery), Josh Green (rest), Tim Hardaway Jr. (left ankle soreness), Maxi Kleber (right hamstring injury recovery) & Christian Wood (rest) will all miss tonight’s game vs the Bulls.
This is potentially significant for the Thunder.
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) April 7, 2023
For the Phoenix Suns, it won’t just be Durant either. Multi-time All-Stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker, alongside big man DeAndre Ayton, will not suit up for their game either against the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Shams Charania. Charania also reported that LeBron and AD will rest on Friday night as well.
Durant (ankle management), Booker (rest), Paul (rest), Ayton (rest) have all been officially ruled out for Suns vs. Lakers with Phoenix clinching No. 4 seed on Thursday night. https://t.co/C66J64bnq7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 7, 2023
LA listed Laker stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis as ‘questionable’ for the game against the Suns.
Star-less games have been trouble for the league all season. It’s probably much more understandable this time of year but nevertheless shocking. Especially for the Mavs, because while they can potentially land a high pick, conceding going into the NBA Playoffs is a very bitter pill to swallow.
The basketball world reacted to the news.
— Devin Newsom (@DevinNewsom) April 7, 2023
Wow. Potentially big for the Thunder. https://t.co/XthnhwkKDu
— Ross Lovelace (@Rosslovelace) April 7, 2023
If the Mavericks lose tonight, they’re eliminated from playoff contention.
They just announced Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber, and Christian Wood will all miss tonight’s game.
Wow, wow, wow. pic.twitter.com/bNxyZvVEpa
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 7, 2023
Expected. Zero reason for the Suns to even play their players. Let the chips fall where they may. https://t.co/WCuSTIvOp7
— GoldenKnight (@GoldenKnightGFX) April 7, 2023
The Lakers got a gift tonight. Win these last two games of the season, no excuses. https://t.co/fCTZCbxDdC
— 500 🏎 (@Kameron_Hay) April 7, 2023
how many times can we be robbed of Bron vs KD https://t.co/3q1u8P0lLO
— PATTYP (@ACHES) April 7, 2023
