The NBA’s 65-game rule, forcing players to play in at least 65 regular season games in order to be eligible for end-of-season awards, has received mixed reviews from fans and players.
Several fans believe it incentivizes stars to play in games, creating a better product for people in attendance. Others believe such a rule being implemented while individual players may have clauses in their contracts that offer bonuses for earning end-of-season awards creates a system that hurts players for situations that often are out of their control, such as injuries or family emergencies.
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Well, it appears the NBA has heard these complaints and is making an adjustment.
Although neither the Detroit Pistons‘ Cade Cunningham nor the Los Angeles Lakers‘ Luka Doncic played in 65 regular season games, both have been reinstated for end-of-season awards.
The NBA announced that Cunningham (63 games played) would be exempt “due in part to missing 12 games as a result of a collapsed lung that was diagnosed on March 17.” Meanwhile Doncic (64 games played) earned exemption “due in part to missing two games to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia.”
Here’s what to know.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Ethan Thompson defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Will these exemption keep up moving forward?
The decisions to re-implement both Doncic and Cunningham came as part of the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) under the “extraordinary circumstances provision.”
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However, the league did not reveal what exactly constitutes an extraordinary circumstance, only that both Cunningham and Doncic applied.
That said, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards didn’t receive an exemption. Edwards played in 60 games — or 61 when counting the game where he played only three minutes, which the league did not count — and filed “an extraordinary circumstances challenge under the CBA, seeking award eligibility before an independent arbitrator.”
Why was Anthony Edwards denied?
Edwards missed 11 of the Timberwolves’ final 14 games this season while dealing with a right knee injury. Furthermore, several of those games missed were in an effort to ensure Edwards would be good to go for the playoffs.
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Edwards also missed time due to hamstring issues and illnesses earlier in the season.
Despite this, Edwards still played 2,137 minutes on the season, more than other players who are qualified for end-of-season awards like Kawhi Leonard, Victor Wembanyama and LaMelo Ball.
Will Doncic, Cunningham win any awards?
While neither player is likely to win MVP, both players will likely be named to All-NBA teams, which qualify under the 65-game rule. Edwards will not be eligible.
Edwards’ ineligibility actually hurts his future. An All-NBA selection for Edwards would have ensured the 24-year-old supermax contract eligibility when he is eligible for a new contract in the 2027 offseason. While Edwards can still earn his third all-NBA bid next season, it puts added pressure on him to succeed. Furthermore, there is also the possibility that another injury forces him out of significant time next season, which could yet again cost him another All-NBA selection.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham eligible for NBA awards after appeal
