Anthony Edwards and Cade Cunningham are among several NBA stars now ineligible for end-of-season awards due to the league's 65-game rule, as the regular season enters its final week. Luka Dončić plans to seek an injury exemption, while frontrunners like Victor Wembanyama hold slim margins. This updates earlier coverage of looming threats from injuries.
Building on mid-March concerns over the NBA's 65-game participation rule—which requires 65 games with 20+ minutes (or up to two at 15-20 minutes) for awards like MVP, All-NBA, and DPOY, with limited exceptions—the landscape has solidified with confirmed disqualifications.
Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart (calf strain March 13) and Cade Cunningham (collapsed lung) are out for DPOY, MVP, and All-NBA, prompting frustration from Cunningham's camp and the NBPA. Anthony Edwards fell short after missing Minnesota's loss in Detroit due to knee inflammation and illness, despite a March 30 return.
Luka Dončić, sidelined by a Grade 2 hamstring strain, will apply for an exemption covering two January absences (child's birth) and recent games, needing just one more qualifying appearance otherwise.
MVP contenders Nikola Jokić and Kawhi Leonard each have a one-game buffer post-return. Victor Wembanyama needs two of four remaining Spurs games, boosted by NBA Cup eligibility credit. Deni Avdija has no margin.
In DPOY, Jaden McDaniels stays eligible; Ausar Thompson leads Pistons hopefuls with wiggle room. Most Improved Player shifts favor Jalen Duren as Avdija and Dillon Brooks miss games.
