Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham are now in the running for the 2025-26 season awards, including MVP and All-NBA teams. This change comes after the NBA and the players’ union agreed to a challenge regarding the 65-game rule.
Doncic played 64 games but missed two because he welcomed a child overseas. Cunningham, who played 63 games, missed time due to a collapsed lung.
The league stated, “Taking into account the totality of the circumstances for Cunningham and Doncic, each player qualified for awards.” Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards from Minnesota played in 60 games and applied for a similar challenge. Unfortunately for him, an independent arbitrator rejected his case, so he won’t be eligible for awards.
The eligibility of Doncic and Cunningham was a hot topic as the season ended. Victor Wembanyama from San Antonio became an MVP candidate and hit the 65-game mark in his team’s second-to-last game. Denver’s Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP winner, also became eligible on the final day of the season, showcasing his consistency over the years.
Nuggets coach David Adelman suggested a review of the 65-game rule. He pointed out that it seems unfair if players like Jokic, who have strong performance but miss just one game, can’t compete for awards. “That’s not the spirit of what that rule is,” he said.
This rule affects many big names this season. For instance, LeBron James will end his 21-year streak of making an All-NBA team, and stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry also missed too many games.
With these decisions made, the NBA will soon send out award ballots to the reporters and broadcasters covering the league. The timeline for announcing the winners remains unclear.
In recent years, discussions around player availability and award eligibility have intensified. A survey by ESPN found that 67% of fans think the criteria for awards should consider players’ overall impact, not just games played. This suggests a growing appetite for change in the league’s structure.
As sports evolve, it’s crucial to balance tradition with the realities players face today. Keeping an eye on these developments will be key for fans and analysts alike.
For more detailed insights, you may want to check out the full report from The Associated Press.
