Load management means we won’t see players play heavy minutes consistently as they used to in the early 21st century.

Playing major minutes used to be a thing to be proud of, and it wasn’t only reserved for the best players in the league. Even role players were expected to compete on the floor whenever their numbers were called upon, unlike in today’s NBA where preserving a player’s health and body is a priority over winning regular season games.

The players in the 21st century from the 1999-00 season until the 2019-20 season played heavy minutes, and those with 40+ minutes played in eight straight games are collected and named. You will be surprised how many major names occupy the lists.

1999-00 NBA Season – 11 Players

List: Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, Jerry Stackhouse, Stephon Marbury, Latrell Sprewell, Larry Hughes, Michael Finley, Mike Bibby, Eddie Jones, Isiah Rider, Anthony Mason

In the 1999-00 NBA Season, notable players such as Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, and Jerry Stackhouse showcased their durability and endurance by playing at least 40 minutes in eight consecutive games, demonstrating their importance and contribution to their respective teams. Iverson managed to do so despite averaging 28.4 points per game in 40.8 minutes per game all season.

2000-01 NBA Season – 15 Players

List: Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, Eddie Jones, Shareef Abdul-Rahim, Nick Van Exel, Antoine Walker, Michael Finley, Jalen Rose, Steve Francis, Jason Terry, Cuttino Mobley, Ron Mercer, Anthony Mason

Stars like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, and Jason Kidd proved their ability to handle heavy minutes on the court for extended periods, highlighting their resilience and value to their teams’ success. Their consistency in maintaining a high level of performance despite the physical demands of playing significant minutes showcased their elite athleticism and skill.

2001-02 NBA Season – 13 Players

List: Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Baron Davis, Jermaine O’Neal, Eddie Jones, Cuttino Mobley, Shane Battier, Antonio Davis, Damon Stoudamire, Antoine Walker, Latrell Sprewell

During the 2001-02 NBA Season, players like Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Kevin Garnett displayed their exceptional stamina and consistency by logging significant minutes in eight consecutive games, solidifying their status as elite performers in the league. It would become a trend that Bryant would play heavy minutes, posting 25.2 points per game at 23 years old.

2002-03 NBA Season – 14 Players

List: Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Jerry Stackhouse, Baron Davis, Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Jalen Rose, Eddie Jones, Antoine Walker, David Wesley, Ben Wallace, Gary Payton, Ricky Davis

In the 2002-03 NBA Season, notable players such as Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Kevin Garnett once again demonstrated their durability and reliability by maintaining a high level of play while shouldering heavy minutes for their teams. Those three elite stars stood out because they were trying their best to win a title and averaged over 40 minutes per game over the season.

2003-04 NBA Season – 10 Players

List: Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, Baron Davis, Jason Kidd, Peja Stojakovic, Elton Brand, Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion

Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, and Kevin Garnett showcase their ability to handle heavy workloads, contributing significantly to their teams’ success with their consistent performances. Their durability and endurance throughout the season allowed them to lead by example and set the standard for excellence in the league, along with other stars such as Baron Davis and Jason Kidd who had to spearhead their team’s offense.

2004-05 NBA Season – 14 Players

List: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Bosh, Mike Bibby, Gilbert Arenas, Stephon Marbury, Jason Kidd, Michael Finley, Rashard Lewis, Richard Jefferson, Al Harrington

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson displayed their durability and endurance by playing significant minutes in eight consecutive games, underscoring their importance to their respective teams. Their ability to maintain a high level of performance despite the physical toll of heavy minutes demonstrated their resilience and determination to succeed at the highest level.

2005-06 NBA Season – 12 Players

List: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Allen Iverson, Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson, Lamar Odom, Gilbert Arenas, Richard Jefferson, Wally Szczerbiak, Cuttino Mobley, Morris Peterson, Ricky Davis

Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson once again appear, but LeBron James makes his second-straight appearance in that sense by averaging 31.4 points per game in 42.5 minutes per game of action for the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was a great time to be able to see superstar players at the top of their games play as many minutes as they were.

2006-07 NBA Season – 9 Players

List: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen, Gilbert Arenas, Joe Johnson, Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Rafer Alston

Standard standout players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony showcased their durability and consistency by playing significant minutes in eight consecutive games, highlighting their importance to their teams’ success. Anthony did his part with the Denver Nuggets, posting 28.9 points per game in 38.2 minutes of action.

2007-08 NBA Season – 3 Players

List: Allen Iverson, Gerald Wallace, Jamal Crawford

During the 2007-08 NBA Season, players like Allen Iverson and Gerald Wallace exhibited their ability to handle heavy minutes and maintain a high level of performance for their respective teams. Iverson averaged 41.8 minutes, Wallace posted 38.3 minutes, and Crawford added 39.9 minutes per game and each had an incredible run of at least eight games.

2008-09 NBA Season – 8 Players

List: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joe Johnson, David West, Tayshaun Prince, Andre Iguodala, Caron Butler, Chris Duhon

In the 2008-09 NBA Season, stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Joe Johnson displayed their durability and reliability by logging significant minutes in eight consecutive games, contributing significantly to their teams’ success. The stars were back to playing heavy minutes, but still nowhere near the level of a few years prior.

2009-10 NBA Season – 7 Players

List: Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Brandon Roy, Gerald Wallace, O.J. Mayo, Luis Scola, Darren Collison

In the 2009-10 NBA Season, notable players such as Carmelo Anthony and Stephen Curry demonstrated their ability to handle heavy minutes and maintain a high level of performance for their teams, showcasing their importance and contribution. Curry’s rookie campaign saw him have an intense run of playing heavy minutes, which might not have helped his early injury history which manifested itself in the 2012-13 season when he only played 26 games.

2010-11 NBA Season – 2 Players

List: LaMarcus Aldridge, Dorell Wright

During the 2010-11 NBA Season, players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Dorell Wright exhibited their durability and consistency by playing significant minutes in eight consecutive games. Aldridge was the only star to have this run in the 2010-11 season, posting 21.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in 39.6 minutes per game. Dorell Wright played all 82 games for the Warriors, averaging a career-high 16.4 points per game.

2011-12 NBA Season – 1 Player

List: Luol Deng

In the 2011-12 NBA Season, Luol Deng displayed his durability and endurance by playing significant minutes in eight consecutive games, typical of a Tom Thibodeau system. Deng was not only Chicago’s best defender but a two-time All-Star who had to carry an intense load in 2012. For his efforts, at least he made the All-Star Team and made the All-NBA Defensive Second Team.

2012-13 NBA Season – 2 Players

List: Kobe Bryant, Tobias Harris

During the 2012-13 NBA Season, Kobe Bryant and Tobias Harris showcased their ability to handle heavy minutes and maintain a high level of performance for their teams. Kobe Bryant was literally run into the ground by Mike D’Antoni in his final great season as a player. He posted 27.3 points per game and an Achilles tear would spell the end of his run, meaning his eight-game run was career-ending.

2013-14 NBA Season – 2 Players

List: Jimmy Butler, Ray McCallum

Jimmy Butler played heavy minutes in the 2013-14 season with the Chicago Bulls, as Tom Thibodeau found his new trustworthy star to rely on. In his third season, Butler began showing signs of promise by posting 13.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while making the All-NBA Defensive Second Team. Ray McCallum also had a strong season, posting 6.2 points per game in his rookie campaign.

2014-15 NBA Season – 1 Player

List: Trevor Ariza

During the 2014-15 NBA Season, Trevor Ariza exhibited his durability and consistency by playing significant minutes in eight consecutive games, highlighting his importance to the success of the up-and-coming Houston Rockets. In his first season of the second stint with the team, Ariza averaged 35.7 minutes per game over 82 games.

2015-16 NBA Season – 1 Player

List: James Harden

Superstar guard James Harden found his way to Houston where he was given the chance to become the player only he knew he could become. A former Sixth Man of the Year, Butler developed into a bonafide All-Star, playing all 82 games and averaging 38.1 minutes per game. Harden was the last player in the 21st century to have an extraordinary eight-game run of at least 40 minutes per game.

2016-17 NBA Season: None2017-18 NBA Season: None2018-19 NBA Season: None2019-20 NBA Season: None2020-21 NBA Season: None2021-22 NBA Season: None2022-23 NBA Season: None

Between the 2016-17 and 2022-23 NBA Seasons, no players managed to maintain a streak of playing at least 40 minutes in eight straight games, reflecting the evolving strategies and rotations within the league during those years. This period saw changes in player management and load management strategies, leading to fewer instances of players logging heavy minutes over extended stretches.

2023-24 NBA Season – 1 Player

List: Josh Hart 

Josh Hart has been on a tear this season, having nine consecutive games with at least 40 minutes played. No surprise, he plays for Tom Thibodeau, and his streak hit the eight-game mark on Friday, March 8th against the Orlando Magic. Hart’s run is 44, 42, 42, 40, 47, 45, 43, 42 and 43 minutes played. The most dependable and durable player in the NBA since the 2015-16 season, Hart hopes to continue this streak.