New NBA Study Reveals No Correlation Between Load Management and Injury Prevention

A recent NBA study found no link between player rest and injury prevention, the league told teams and select writers in a memo this week.

The report introduces a new element to a longstanding debate in basketball circles over the efficacy of "load management," a theory that suggests allotted rest during the regular season is critical to maintaining player health and postseason performance.

The NBA commissioned the report from IQVIA Injury Surveillance & Analytics, whose chief scientific officer, Dr. Christina Mack, warned against drawing definitive conclusions from the study.

"We're not saying (load management is) better or worse," Mack said.

Based on an examination of 150 players per season from 2014-23, the report found no link between "frequency of game participation and injury," "schedule density and injury" and "cumulative NBA participation and injury."

Load management in the NBA became so common that the league introduced a player rest policy this season, and already has handed out punishment for teams not adhering to it.