NBA Big Boys Rest for Playoffs, Wembanyama Hit 65-Game Mark

As NBA season dey wind down, plenty teams don start to rest their star players. E no be small thing o. Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder, two teams wey dey compete for top spot, both decide to bench their main men for Friday night game. Na bench players carry the day for Denver as dem win 127-107.

Denver coach David Adelman talk say dem dey prioritize rest over playoff positioning. Na true talk. Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets superstar, no even play. But Jonas Valanciunas, the backup center, show say he get power. The man score 23 points, grab 17 rebounds. Julian Strawther add 22 points with four three-pointers. Bench players dey shine for Denver.

For Thunder side, dem too rest their main men. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, no play. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault talk say since dem don clinch number one seed, dem get right to manage player bodies. Na sensible decision, but e make the game lose some shine.

Meanwhile, for San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama dey make history. The young center play his 65th game this season against Dallas Mavericks. Na important milestone because e mean say he qualify for end-of-season awards like MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Wembanyama no just qualify, e do am with style. 40 points, 13 rebounds, five assists in just 26 minutes. The boy dey ball!

Wembanyama talk say if he don reach 65 games before, he for no play. But since e need the minutes, e go play. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson talk say dem need as much on-court experience as possible. San Antonio dey control second spot for Western Conference with 62-19 record. Dem dey above Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers, but dey behind Oklahoma City Thunder.

For other parts of the league, Friday night see plenty players rest. Total of 168 players no play because of injuries or illnesses. Memphis Grizzlies alone rest 14 players! Utah Jazz use only seven players beat Memphis wey use six players. Na crazy situation.

Boston Celtics make history too. Dem tie NBA record with 29 three-pointers in one game. Na fourth time for NBA history and second time this week. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla joke say dem hope say dem no use all their three-pointers for one game.

Golden State Warriors dey prepare for play-in tournament. Dem start Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis together for first time this season. Warriors coach Steve Kerr talk say some decisions na just hunch, so dem need to give different combinations a look.

Playoff picture dey clear small small. Atlanta Hawks become 11th team to grab playoff spot. Boston secure number two seed for East. New York lock up number three seed. Cleveland go be number four seed. Charlotte, Orlando and Miami all dey set for play-in tournament.

As regular season dey end, teams dey make strategic decisions. Some dey rest players for playoffs. Others dey chase awards eligibility. For fans, e mean say some late-season games no go get star power, but e dey important for teams wey dey plan for postseason run.