On the back end of both a SEGABABA and FIGASENI, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is resting three of his main rotation players for tonight’s faceoff against the rapidly rising Phoenix Suns. DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and Patty Mills will all sit out tonight after playing a combined 90 minutes in last night’s last-second loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
DeMar DeRozan, Patty Mills, and Jakob Poeltl will be resting in the Spurs game against the Suns.
— Spurs Nation (@SpursNationCP) April 17, 2021
It will be Poeltl's first absence all season, and Mills' second. pic.twitter.com/UkQY68nsvA
Mills has especially looked gassed lately and had a particularly tough game last night, laying a goose egg on the scoreboard for the first time since early in the 2018-19 season. DeRozan has led the team in scoring as well as minutes played this season, averaging 34 minutes per game, and Poeltl has been their defensive anchor. Trey Lyles remains out with an ankle injury.
Gorgui Dieng returned from a shoulder sprain but was a DNP last night, so his availability is likely what is giving Pop the confidence to rest Poeltl. Their absence should also open minutes for players like rookie Devin Vassell, who has fallen out of the rotation the last few games, and Luka Samanic.