Donovan Mitchell and 4 other NBA stars getting much-needed rest

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 12: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the Washington Wizards at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 12, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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NBA, Donovan Mitchell Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA players getting much-needed rest: Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets

The presumptive MVP of the NBA, Nikola Jokic has been on the floor for the Denver Nuggets in just about every meaningful minute this season. He played all 72 games, averaged 34.6 minutes and led his team to the fourth seed in the West, in spite of an early slow start by his teammates and a catastrophic injury to Jamal Murray in mid-April.

Jokic averaged career-highs in nearly every category; 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 56.6 percent from the floor, 38.8 percent from 3-point range and 86.8 percent from the free throw line. He’s going to have a heavier load than ever to carry in the NBA playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers, and this time off comes at the best time.

NBA players getting much-needed rest: Julius Randle – New York Knicks

Julius Randle only missed one game this season, and he led the NBA in minutes played for the New York Knicks. He was an absolute workhorse, putting up volume and production that dwarfed anything he had done previously in his career.

If Randle thought he played a lot of minutes in the regular season, he hasn’t seen anything yet. Expect head coach Tom Thibodeau to ride him for everything he’s worth in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks. Thibs is known for this, and in his first time back to the postseason, with a team that loves to work as hard as these Knicks, led by Randle, he’s going to need every bit of energy reserve he can build up in this week off.

Next. Nuggets: Key battlegrounds in postseason matchup. dark