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The NBA has made it known it is trying to crack down on load management this season.
Still, after one game, the Phoenix Suns announced today they are sitting star guard Devin Booker, who is dealing with a foot injury, for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, even though Booker was able to drop 32 points in 37 minutes in the season opener on Tuesday.
Booker’s backcourt mate Bradley Beal will also be out, as he continues recovering from a back issue.
The announcement has sparked plenty of conversation about load management, a touchy subject for the NBA.
This is a real test of the NBA’s new Player Participation Policy.
NBA doesn’t want teams to sit multiple stars, on the road, on national television (TNT tonight).
This is the trifecta.
Other teams will definitely be watching to see if Phoenix gets fined/punished here. https://t.co/ADfSvR5G7x
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) October 26, 2023
“They really upped the punishment for Load Management and we got this 2 games into the season be [for real],” said the Old NBA Tweetz account.
They really upped the punishment for Load Management and we got this 2 games into the season be fr 😭
— Old NBA Tweets (@oldnbatweetz) October 26, 2023
“Load managing one game into the season,” said a Warriors fan.
Load managing one game into the season 💀💀💀
— japta (@DubsBetterrrr) October 26, 2023
“NBA doesn’t want: – 2 stars resting at same time – stars resting on road – stars resting on National TV. Suns doing all three, during just second game of year… after Booker was healthy enough to dominate GS in game one,” said “NBA Today” radio host Justin Termine.
NBA doesn’t want:
– 2 stars resting at same time
– stars resting on road
– stars resting on National TVSuns doing all three, during just second game of year… after Booker was healthy enough to dominate GS in game one. https://t.co/EgmjQ4uRxx
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) October 26, 2023
“Ah, well this stinks,” chimed in NBA writer/podcaster Nekias Duncan.
Ah, well this stinks https://t.co/sCrS7hW7Wj
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) October 26, 2023
“They are injured but this is what hurts the NBA. The season just started & you showcase a team on National TV with a big 3 of Stars & both games one or two isn’t available. Definitely frustrating,” a fifth person said.
They are injured but this is what hurts the NBA. The season just started & you showcase a team on National TV with a big 3 of Stars & both games one or two isn’t available. Definitely frustrating. https://t.co/MI71xlyRUr
— Playoff P Basketball (@playoffpbball) October 26, 2023
The Lakers and Suns will tip off tonight at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.