It's funny how much time we spend fixating on the NBA's regular season and analyzing everything based on that sample size when, often, the playoffs hinge on the healthiest remaining teams more than anything else.
As we prepare for both the Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals Over the coming two weeks, one could reasonably argue that the remaining four teams -- theصند Oklahoma City Thunder , Minnesota Timberwolves , Indiana Pacers , and New York Knicks — are all, at least partly, only still standing because their main rotations remain intact and healthy. These four teams with nearly 100 games of mileage on their rosters right now are especially fortunate in this regard because they're about to start two dangerous, respective schedules with games scheduled for every other night .
Yes, even when they have to travel between cities. Huh? Why?
Following a postseason marked by significant injuries to key players with heavy workloads such as the Boston Celtics ' Jayson Tatum , the Golden State Warriors ' Steph Curry , and the Denver Nuggets ' Aaron Gordon — each of which helped contribute to their respective teams' ultimate demise — it's almost like the NBA is practically begging for someone new to get hurt with such a schedule. That or the league is clamoring for a de facto "Hunger Games" for the title purely because it wants a playoff game every other night for marketing purposes rather than prioritizing the health of its best players and a better, cleaner product in its biggest games of the entire year.
Make it make sense. Because, as it stands, it doesn't.
This is an urgent conversation that Gordon urgently asked the league to modify. following his performance in a Game 7 against the Thunder despite suffering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain after getting only minimal rest and seeing injuries occur to fellow players such as Tatum and Curry.
Gordon presents a very convincing argument:
Certainly, Gordon’s viewpoint partly stems from his frustration with the challenges the Nuggets faced during their 2025 playoff campaign. Throughout approximately five weeks, Denver only experienced three stretches of rest longer than a single day. In fact, after winning a crucial Game 6 against the Thunder to force a decisive seventh game, the team had contested nine matches within a span of 17 days.
The Nuggets and Thunder surprisingly played a game that was slated on the schedule. in under 36 hours of rest It’s amazing nobody was hurt there. )
Unsurprisingly, the Nuggets found themselves exhausted by the conclusion of the game, and they sadly witnessed Gordon, a key player for them, sustain a soft-tissue injury when it mattered most.
Perhaps teams such as the Nuggets experience this issue less if they did not have to play consecutive seven-game series. They might also face fewer challenges if their rosters were more balanced rather than heavily reliant on key players. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks all addressed these concerns effectively despite having deep squads. Nevertheless, it remains highly unwise and reckless to structure the typical NBA playoff series without providing additional recovery time, regardless of whether the series reaches the full seven games or ends sooner.
Since this entire situation goes beyond the scope of just the Nuggets, Celtics, or Warriors. There comes a moment when, despite having some of the best athletes globally competing in your league, they remain human. You’re expecting far too much from individuals whose physiques mirror those of regular people like us, complete with identical physical constraints.
For those who might argue that current NBA players seem softer because they can't endure such challenges, allow me to be clear: you have no idea what you’re discussing.
Today’s players in the league excel beyond what we’ve seen before; they leap higher, sprint quicker, and display sheer power like never before. This undeniable truth comes at a cost as these professionals have played nearly half a year by the time playoff season arrives. Moreover, due to the widespread adoption of three-point shots across the board, every player must now traverse greater distances throughout each game compared to any previous era in NBA history. The demands include significantly more dashing, halting, restarting, and constant switching between positions all over the court than was required previously.
This isn’t the same game most of you probably remember from days gone by. In fact, it’s barely recognizable compared to what it was just a decade ago. That’s why many athletes often refrain from giving their full effort throughout a season that can seem never-ending at times.
They truly lack the stamina for it.
Gordon’s observation is clear and compelling for all NBA players. This is indeed an issue that requires attention from everyone involved, particularly the league and Commissioner Adam Silver, who appears attentive. It continually attempts to resolve trivial "problems." These issues are not related to safeguarding or valuing the game or its participants. In fact, the NBA’s tendency to exaggerate minor matters probably exacerbates this palpable issue with playoff scheduling. The introduction of recent (and unnecessary) in-season and play-in tournaments has essentially extended the season by about two weeks.
You know, those two weeks of time could have been distributed among all the playoff teams' postseason schedules instead. Hmmm. Those days would have come in handy, I believe!
If the NBA truly prioritizes its players, it must heed Aaron Gordon’s concerns. End of discussion. Failing to adequately address this matter would be entirely unacceptable for a league that genuinely needs to self-reflect.
The article initially appeared on For The Win. Aaron Gordon implored the NBA to alter its risky playoff scheduling.
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