NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets will shut down Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young for the rest of the season, Brooklyn interim coach Tony Brown said before Sunday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Nets have six games remaining in the regular season. They have long been eliminated from playoff contention and had been resting Lopez and Young in recent contests.
Lopez finishes his season averaging 20.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 73 games. Young averaged 15.1 points and 9.0 rebounds in 73 games. Both big men agreed to multiyear contracts over the summer.
The Nets (21-55) currently have the fourth-worst record in the NBA, but their 2016 unprotected first-round draft pick belongs to the Boston Celtics.