Injury Bug Puts Nikola Jokic & 4 Other Stars at Risk of Missing Major Awards and All-NBA Honors

Several NBA superstars are at risk of not receiving regular-season awards due to the 65-game minimum requirement.

The NBA ruling, which has been in place since the 2023-24 season, was part of the push against load management. Players had to play at least 65 games to be eligible for major individual awards like Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA team selections.

However, this season, the 65-game rule is having unintended ramifications for several superstars who are suffering from injuries. For NBA insider Brett Siegel, the NBA has to readjust the ruling as Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic and LeBron James might not receive year-end awards.

"It is time to readjust the NBA award minimum games restriction," Siegel tweeted. "We are facing a scenario where Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Doncic all may not be eligible for awards and the All-NBA teams."

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The 65-game minimum requirement accounts for about 80% of the 82 games, and players must not miss more than 17 games.

How many games can superstars miss before becoming ineligible for end-of-season awards?

#1 Nikola Jokic

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets - Source: Imagn

ESPN's Shams Charania announced Tuesday that Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic will miss at least four weeks due to a hyperextended left knee. Jokic has played in all 32 games for Denver this season, but his reevaluation date at the end of January puts him at risk of missing 17 games.

The Nuggets star has been a top-two finalist in the MVP balloting in each of the previous five seasons, winning it three times. Jokic has also been selected to an All-NBA team for seven straight seasons.

#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo

NBA: Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks - Source: Imagn

At this point, Giannis Antetokounmpo has already missed 14 games. If the Milwaukee Bucks star missed four more games, he would be ineligible for the regular-season awards. Most recently, he missed eight straight games due to a right calf strain, the same injury that kept him out of the 2024 NBA playoffs.

Antetokounmpo has been named to an All-NBA team for nine consecutive seasons.

#3 Victor Wembanyama

NBA: San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns - Source: Imagn

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was sidelined for 12 straight games due to a left calf strain, which gives him a six-game cushion for missed games.

Some players qualify for larger contract extensions by making an All-NBA team or winning an award. Wembanyama is extension-eligible at the end of the season, and his missing the 65-game rule could have ramifications on his next contract.

#4 Luka Doncic

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: Imagn

LA Lakers star Luka Doncic can miss 11 more games before becoming ineligible for year-end accolades. The Slovenian star sat out seven games due to various reasons. Like Wembanyama, Doncic did not reach the 65-game threshold last season.

#5 LeBron James

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers - Source: Imagn

Doncic's Lakers co-star, LeBron James, would likely not reach the 65-game minimum requirement, as he had already missed 17 games. Given his age and the Lakers' schedule, the likelihood of James sitting out more games is high. If this happens, it would mark the end of his 21 straight All-NBA nods.

Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos