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The NBA’s 65-game rule has its share of critics, but for now, it isn’t going anywhere. Cade Cunningham, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic and other stars all needed to play at least 65 games to be eligible for awards such as MVP and All-NBA honors.
With all three missing time this season, it was a close call for each.
The 65-game rule didn’t heavily impact the MVP race in either of its first two seasons after being implemented as part of the new collective bargaining agreement in 2023, but it could, at the very least, prevent Cunningham from earning All-NBA honors in a season that has seen him emerge as a legitimate MVP candidate.
The NBPA has already called for the rule to be changed, saying in a statement, "Cade Cunningham’s potential ineligibility for postseason awards after a career-defining season is a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and yet another example of why it must be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries."
While there is a minor exception for season-ending injuries, Cunningham doesn’t meet it. Neither does Anthony Edwards, who saw his chances of hitting the 65-game mark vanish after he was ruled out of the Timberwolves' April 2 tilt vs. the Pistons with illness.
Luka Doncic still might be eligible for season-long awards despite being shut down for the regular season on Friday with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Doncic and his representatives are reportedly applying for a extraordinary circumstances grievance due to his two games missed for the birth of his son earlier in the season.
The Sporting News tracked the award eligibility for some of the NBA’s stars, including Cunningham, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic. Follow along below with each player’s games played count.
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NBA awards eligibility tracker
With Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic both back on the court after dealing with injuries, each was able to find a path to 65 games. MVP favorite Gilgeous-Alexander cleared the bar with some wiggle room, while Jokic's 65th game was on the last day of the season.
Cunningham, however, is in a different boat. Due to his collapsed lung, he didn't meet the threshold for awards. Edwards is also officially unable to add to his collection of All-NBA placements after being ruled out of a Minnesota game vs. Detroit with illness.
Victor Wembamyama finished with 64 games played, but will be eligible for awards based on the rules.
Here are the latest games played totals for notable award and All-NBA contenders:
| Player | Games played | Remaining games |
| Cooper Flagg | 70 | 0 |
| Tyrese Maxey | 70 | 0 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 68 | 0 |
| Evan Mobley | 65 | 0 |
| Deni Avdija | 66 | 0 |
| Kawhi Leonard | 65 | 0 |
| Luka Doncic | 64 | 0 |
| Nikola Jokic | 65 | 0 |
| Victor Wembanyama | 64 | 0 |
| Cade Cunningham | 63 | 0 |
| Anthony Edwards | 61 | 0 |
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NBA 65-game rule, explained
Starting with the 2023-24 season, NBA rules state that players must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Improved Player awards, as well as All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams. The rule doesn't apply to the Rookie of the Year or Sixth Man of the Year awards.
The rule was agreed upon in the league's current collective bargaining agreement to help combat the trend of "load management," in which teams rested players to either keep them fresh or nurse minor ailments.
Despite the rule, stars continue to miss games. As of March 25, only two of the NBA's 45 20-point-per-game scorers rank among the top 25 in games played: Minnesota's Julius Randle and Orlando's Desmond Bane.
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