NBA faces pressure to alter 65-game eligibility rule for players to be considered for awards

The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) called connected nan convention to make a alteration to its 65-game eligibility norm for players to beryllium considered for awards.

NBA players who neglect to play 65 games are not considered for nan league’s apical honors, for illustration NBA MVP. The national pointed to Detroit Pistons prima Cade Cunningham, who emerged arsenic an MVP campaigner this play but whitethorn not beryllium considered for nan grant if he misses much time. He’s presently sidelined pinch a collapsed lung.

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Memphis Grizzlies guardant Cedric Coward (23) drives against Detroit Pistons defender Cade Cunningham (2) during nan first half of an NBA hoops crippled Friday, March 13, 2026, successful Detroit.  (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

"Cade Cunningham's imaginable ineligibility for postseason awards aft a career-defining play is simply a clear indictment of nan 65-game norm and yet different illustration of why it must beryllium abolished aliases reformed to create an objection for important injuries," nan national said. "Since its implementation, acold excessively galore deserving players person been unfairly disqualified from end-of-season honors by this arbitrary and overly rigid quota."

Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry person missed excessively overmuch clip to beryllium considered for nan All-NBA teams.

Injuries person besides plagued San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic this season. Each subordinate is successful statement for nan MVP but are nearing ineligibility.

Cleveland Cavaliers prima Donovan Mitchell said he understood nan norm but location were excessively galore different factors astatine play.

Portland Trail Blazers guardant Jerami Grant, left, greets Denver Nuggets halfway Nikola Jokic aft an NBA hoops crippled Sunday, March 22, 2026, successful Denver.  (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA BUILDS MVP CASE AS SPURS CLINCH DIVISION, END PLAYOFF DROUGHT

"It’s for nan correct reasons, but it’s tough," Mitchell said complete nan weekend. "We get paid money to beryllium retired there, but there’s definite things you can’t control. It’s not for illustration guys are resting and missing these games. These are legitimate injuries, truthful it’s thing to look astatine for judge because there’s nary measurement definite guys should beryllium successful this scenario."

Kevin Durant suggested successful 2024 he was indifferent astir nan rule.

"I conscionable want guys patient and connected nan tribunal too. I conjecture that’s what nan solution is, effort to get guys to enactment connected nan court," he said astatine nan time. "It’s conscionable thing we’ve sewage to woody with. I won’t opportunity I emotion it aliases I dislike it either, but it’s conscionable thing we’ve sewage to woody with."

San Antonio Spurs guardant Victor Wembanyama (1) walks connected nan tribunal during nan first half of an NBA hoops crippled against nan Miami Heat, Monday, March 23, 2026, successful Miami.  (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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The norm was put successful spot successful October successful hopes of curbing load guidance and put an accent connected nan regular season. The norm whitethorn besides effect whether players would person a supermax statement successful nan future.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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