In the 2026 NBA season, a new set of rules was introduced to promote greater player participation, especially among the league’s star players. These regulations aim to curb the trend of resting top athletes during high-profile, nationally televised games, which had become increasingly common in previous years. Starting in 2023, the NBA implemented strict penalties for star players who skip key regular-season matchups, making even star-level athletes liable for hefty fines if they sit out without legitimate reasons during marquee games. Despite these efforts, some teams appear to be finding creative ways to skirt the rules, notably the Denver Nuggets, who are planning to sit all five of their regular starters for an upcoming game against the Philadelphia 76ers, raising questions about whether the league’s new guidelines are truly effective or merely have loopholes waiting to be exploited.
NBA’s 2023 Player Participation Regulations
Background and Purpose of the Rules
The NBA’s new rules, introduced in 2023, focus on ensuring that star players for competitive advantage participate in more regular-season games. Previously, load management and resting players during back-to-back nights became common strategies, often disappointing fans and fans’ expectations for star-driven matchups. The league responded with regulations that restrict high-profile players from resting during nationally televised games unless they face significant fines, with the goal of maintaining the integrity of the game and maximizing viewership.
The regulations specifically target players who have made recent All-Star or All-NBA teams within the past three seasons. The idea was to keep the league’s biggest stars engaged throughout the season, elevating the quality and appeal of marquee matchups. The penalties for violation include substantial fines, intended to dissuade teams from resting their best players during significant games, aligning with the NBA’s broader goal of increasing player accountability.
Limitations and Exemptions
While the rules aim for widespread compliance, they contain certain exemptions. Notably, players who have not achieved recent All-Star or All-NBA honors are not considered “star” players under these regulations. This is where teams sometimes find loopholes, as they might rest players who are not classified as “stars,” even if those players are crucial to the team’s success.
For example, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets has yet to land an All-Star or All-NBA selection, despite playing at an elite level this season. This status means Murray falls outside the scope of the league’s star-resting restrictions, providing his team, the Nuggets, with flexibility to bench him during certain high-profile games without repercussions. This loophole can be strategically exploited, especially during tightly scheduled seasons or when players are managing minor injuries.
Denver Nuggets and the Loophole in Practice
The Upcoming Game Against the 76ers
The Denver Nuggets are preparing for a nationally televised game against the Philadelphia 76ers, a matchup expected to draw significant attention. However, the Nuggets are reportedly planning to rest all five of their regular starters, including franchise stars like Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, as well as Murray, who traditionally is seen as a key player for Denver. The move has raised eyebrows because it conflicts with the spirit of the league’s regulations, even if it technically doesn’t breach any rules.
Jamal Murray’s case is particularly interesting because he will sit out despite demonstrating he can play through injuries. Just a night before the game, Murray was on the court for 40 minutes during Denver’s back-to-back game against the Brooklyn Nets, indicating he’s physically capable of participating. His recent performances have shown that he’s in top form, averaging a career-high 25.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game, with impressive shooting percentages—48% from the field, nearly 45% from beyond the arc, and over 89% from free throws. These numbers suggest he is well above the typical “rest candidate,” but because he hasn’t made recent All-Star or All-NBA teams, he’s not included in the league’s star restrictions.
The Implication of Murray’s “Non-Star” Status
The critical distinction lies in the NBA’s criteria for star players, which are limited to those who have been recognized with recent All-Star or All-NBA honors. Murray, despite playing extraordinarily well this season, has never received an All-Star nod or been part of an All-NBA team. This makes him exempt from the star-resting rules, giving Denver some leeway to rest him without risking fines or penalties.
This situation highlights a significant loophole. While the league’s intent was to ensure the biggest names participate regularly, players like Murray—who perform at star levels but haven’t secured recent accolades—are outside these protections. Consequently, Denver’s decision to sit Murray, along with other starters like Jokic, Christian Braun, and Jonas Valanciunas, can be justified as within league guidelines, even if it appears strategically timed to preserve players for playoff contention or to manage injuries.
Impact on Player Status and Future Regulations
What Constitutes a “Star” Player?
The NBA’s criteria for “star” designation are based on recent honors, which include:
– Being selected for the All-Star team within the past three seasons
– Making an All-NBA team in the same period
Players who don’t meet these criteria, even if they are viewed as key contributors or franchise players, are not protected from the league’s rest rules. Jamal Murray serves as a prime example. His outstanding performance this season has led many to consider him among the league’s elite, yet his lack of recent accolades results in his being legally outside the star category.
This classification decision has broader implications, as players’ recognition can influence team strategies and league policies. If Murray continues to excel and secures All-Star or All-NBA honors, he’ll subsequently fall under the league’s star restrictions, making such strategic resting less feasible in the future.
Will the Rules Evolve?
The loophole exploited by the Nuggets raises questions about whether the NBA will modify its regulations moving forward. Critics argue that the current criteria might incentivize teams to rest players who are technically “not stars,” even if they are essential to team success. The league has historically aimed to maintain fairness and transparency, but the Murray situation underscores the challenge of creating rules that are fair, practical, and difficult to circumvent.
Potential future adjustments could include broadening the definition of star players or implementing more nuanced criteria that consider recent performance and overall impact rather than purely historical honors. Such modifications would reduce the ability of teams to rest key players under the guise of non-star status.
Current Season Highlights for Jamal Murray
Performance and Impact
Despite the ongoing debates about rest policies, Jamal Murray has been one of the standout performers of the 2026 season. His statistics, such as averaging 25.4 points per game—an impressive career-high—alongside efficient shooting percentages, highlight his importance to the Nuggets’ success. Over the first two-plus months, he has displayed remarkable consistency and leadership, which could position him for his first All-Star selection since his career’s early days.
Moreover, Murray’s ability to play through injuries, as evidenced by his recent game time despite an ankle issue dating back to Christmas, demonstrates his resilience and dedication. His recent high-minute outings, including 40 minutes in a back-to-back game against the Nets, show he remains capable of contributing at an elite level if given the chance.
Possible Future Recognition
If Murray maintains his top-tier production levels, especially as the Nuggets face a challenging schedule with several key players resting, he may finally secure a spot on the All-Star team this season. Such recognition would officially categorize him as a “star,” which would subject him to the same participation constraints as other recognized stars in future high-profile games.
Until then, Murray remains outside the league’s star classification, giving Denver some flexibility to manage his workload, particularly during busy stretches or when handling minor injuries. For now, he is set to sit out the upcoming game against Philadelphia, alongside other key players, including Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jonas Valanciunas, as part of the team’s strategic roster management.
Upcoming Matchup and Team Strategy
Denver’s decision to rest key players for the game against the 76ers is primarily a strategic move. With multiple starters sidelined, Denver aims to manage player health and workload, especially considering the demanding nature of an NBA season. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m. MT, marking the first of two scheduled meetings between the two teams. The Nuggets are aiming to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season, which underscores the importance of roster management and strategic resting.
The absence of stars such as Jokic, who leads the team, along with Murray, Gordon, Braun, and several others, significantly impacts the team’s performance. This lineup adjustment sparks discussions about the effectiveness and fairness of the league’s rules and whether teams are genuinely complying or finding workarounds.
More Nuggets Content and Future Considerations
Topics such as the Nuggets’ decision to rest multiple key players, reactions from team management, and implications for the playoff push continue to dominate discourse this season. Notably:
– The Nuggets’ strategic rest of players during high-profile games
– The league’s ongoing review of star designation criteria
– The potential for rule modifications to address loopholes
– Players’ performances that could influence future star selections
As the season progresses, the league will likely monitor the effectiveness of its regulations and consider adjustments to prevent exploitation of loopholes. Meanwhile, teams, players, and fans remain engaged in discussions about how best to balance player health, competitive fairness, and entertainment value.
By understanding the nuances of league rules, the criteria for star recognition, and how teams are navigating these regulations, fans gain a clearer picture of the strategic decisions shaping the 2026 NBA season. The Murray and Nuggets situation exemplifies the ongoing challenge for the league to enforce compliance while accommodating the realities of professional sports competition.
