The NBA’s 65-Game Rule Is Sabotaging Season Awards

This NBA season should have been celebrated for the historic excellence of its superstars. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is running a masterful MVP campaign, Nikola Jokic is putting up jaw-dropping numbers, and Victor Wembanyama is showcasing his dominance on both ends of the floor. Yet instead of debating these remarkable performances, the league finds itself tangled in a legal controversy surrounding the 65-game rule.

This rule, which took effect in 2023, ties award eligibility to the number of games played. It has already eliminated three major players from the individual honors race, creating a situation that agents and the players’ union are denouncing as « arbitrary » and « rigid. »

A Massacre of Award Candidacies

The damage caused by this rule is significant. Luka Doncic, the NBA‘s leading scorer with 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, was eliminated from the MVP race and All-NBA teams after suffering a hamstring injury in his 64th game of the season — an injury that ended his season just one game short of the eligibility threshold.

Cade Cunningham, who ranked third in a mid-season MVP poll, suffered the same fate after experiencing a pneumothorax on March 19, during his 61st game. Anthony Edwards, the league’s third-leading scorer, was also ruled ineligible after missing a game due to a right knee injury.

The situation remains precarious for other superstars. Jokic and Wembanyama have each played only 62 games with four contests remaining on the schedule. One more absence would eliminate them from the ballots as well.

READ ALSO

Luka Doncic Suffers Hamstring Injury in Lakers’ Loss to the Thunder

Apr 3, 2026

Nicolas Flamecourt

A Counterproductive Rule That Divides

The irony of this situation is that all of these players suffered legitimate injuries unrelated to the « load management » the rule was meant to address. Jeff Schwartz, agent for Cunningham and Jokic, called the rule « arbitrary, » while Bill Duffy, representing Doncic, argued that « his client’s record-breaking season deserves to be noted in the history books, despite his unfortunate injury. »

The players’ union, though it reluctantly accepted the rule during the 2023 negotiations, is now pushing for reforms. The organization called Cunningham‘s ineligibility « a clear indictment » of the 65-game rule and is calling for it to be « abolished or reformed. »

Historically, voters have always factored missed games into their decisions. But this new rule removes that judgment entirely from the voters’ hands, wiping exceptional players from official records over a difference of just a few games. Commissioner Adam Silver nonetheless remains reluctant to abandon the policy, which he still views as useful for limiting strategic rest by star players.

READ ALSO

Victor Wembanyama Gets Injured… in His 64th Game: End-of-Season Awards at Risk?

Apr 7, 2026

Tom Compayrot