Cunningham falls victim to the 65-game rule: players’ union calls for reform
The NBPA is demanding the abolition or reform of the 65-game rule after Cade Cunningham's injury, which threatens to cost him end-of-season award eligibility despite an exceptional campaign with Detroit.
Mar 17, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dunks over Washington Wizards guard Will Riley (27) and guard Tre Johnson (12) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Photo Credit : © Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
The injury to Cade Cunningham has reignited the debate around the controversial 65-game rule. The Detroit Pistons guard, who played 61 games this season before suffering a collapsed lung, could be denied individual end-of-season awards. This situation has prompted the players’ union (NBPA) to call for urgent reform.
Cade CUNNINGHAM
Position(s): Point Guard
Height: 198 cm
Age: 24 years (09/25/2001)
Nationality:
Stats 2025-2026 / NBA
PTS
24.5
#17
REB
5.6
#91
AST
9.9
#2
A rule that penalizes injured players
« The potential ineligibility of Cade Cunningham for end-of-season awards after a career-defining campaign is a clear condemnation of the 65-game rule and another example of why it must be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries, » the NBPA stated in a release. « Since its implementation, far too many deserving players have been unfairly disqualified from end-of-season honors by this arbitrary and overly rigid quota. »
Cunningham, averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game this season, was in contention for a First Team All-NBA spot and was among MVP candidates. His injury, sustained during a dive for a loose ball on March 17 against Washington, could permanently remove him from the awards race.
Cunningham’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, also expressed his frustration: « Cade has delivered a first-team All-NBA worthy season. If he falls just short of an arbitrary games-played threshold due to a legitimate injury, that should not disqualify him from recognition he clearly earned throughout the season. The league should reward excellence, not impose rigid thresholds that ignore context. An exception must be made. »
The NBPA is calling for the 65-game rule to be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injures in the case of Cade Cunningham, per @ByTimReynolds
(h/t @BrettSiegelNBA) pic.twitter.com/ilA6gi1nF4
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) March 24, 2026
A recurring problem affecting the biggest stars
Cunningham is not an isolated case. This season, LeBron James will see his streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA selections end, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry are also ineligible. Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, both MVP candidates, are dangerously close to the ineligibility threshold.
« It’s for the right reasons, but it’s tough, » confided Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell. « We’re paid to be on the court, but there are certain things you can’t control. It’s not like guys are resting and missing these games. These are legitimate injuries, so it’s something to look at because there’s no reason some players should find themselves in this scenario. »
This rule, initially created to combat load management and encourage star presence at important games, has not had the desired effect. Voting journalists already took the number of games played into account before its implementation, making this measure largely redundant according to its critics.
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
Comments (0)