Nikola Jokic Reaches 65 Games Required for NBA Award Eligibility
Apr 12, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) signals to teammates during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Nikola Jokic crossed the crucial threshold of 65 games played this season by appearing in the Denver Nuggets‘ 128-118 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night. This guarantees him eligibility for end-of-season individual awards, including MVP and All-NBA teams.
A First Half Was Enough for Jokic
The Serbian center, who was questionable before the game due to a right wrist injury, played 18 minutes and 15 seconds, scoring 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting with 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block. « He’ll play the first half, » head coach David Adelman had announced before the game. « Then we’ll check in at halftime to see where he’s at, where the game is at. That’s what the rules provide. So we’ll follow the rules. »
The NBA requires players to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for individual awards, with the possibility of two exemptions for games played between 15 and 19 minutes 59 seconds. Jokic, who had one exemption remaining, easily surpassed the required minimum of 15 minutes.
This win also secured the Nuggets (54-28) the 3rd seed in the Western Conference and a first-round playoff matchup against Minnesota (48-33). Denver dominated the game thanks to an impressive 22-0 run early in the second quarter, holding San Antonio scoreless for 8 minutes and 45 seconds to take a 63-40 lead.
Nikola Jokic is now the first player to ever lead the NBA in RPG and APG in a single season.
Seems pretty valuable… pic.twitter.com/5305nXZeMO
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 13, 2026
Wembanyama Rests After Reaching Eligibility
On the Spurs‘ side, Victor Wembanyama sat out after reaching his 65 games in the previous win over Dallas (139-120), where he had posted 40 points and 13 rebounds in 26 minutes and 13 seconds. The Frenchman is recovering from a left rib contusion and was rested by the coaching staff. « He’s fine, but he’s a bit sore and we felt it was the appropriate decision, » head coach Mitch Johnson explained.
Seven Denver players scored at least 10 points, led by Julian Strawther (25 points) and Jonas Valanciunas (16 points, 11 rebounds). For San Antonio, De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 24 points, while Stephon Castle posted a near triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists in his return after missing two games.
Both teams will open the playoffs at home between April 18 and 19, with Denver hosting Minnesota and San Antonio facing the 7th seed in the West.
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