The NBA's 65-game eligibility rule for season-ending awards has put several star players in jeopardy as the regular season nears its end. Players missing 18 or more games become ineligible, with some top performers already out of contention. Others have limited games left to qualify.
The NBA requires players to participate in at least 65 of the 82 regular-season games to qualify for awards such as MVP. With about six weeks and roughly 20 games remaining, the rule is impacting the awards races.
Several prominent players are already ineligible due to missing more than 17 games. These include Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks, Stephen Curry of the Warriors, Joel Embiid of the 76ers, LeBron James of the Lakers, Ja Morant of the Grizzlies, and Lauri Markkanen of the Jazz, among others like Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis, Trae Young, and Franz Wagner.
Players on the edge include Nikola Jokić of the Nuggets, who has missed 16 games due to a left knee injury. Devin Booker of the Suns has 15 absences from a right hip strain and an ankle sprain. Evan Mobley of the Cavaliers also missed 15 games from two calf strains. Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers has 14 missed games managing ankle soreness and prior foot and ankle issues. Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs missed 14 games with calf and knee injuries. Others at risk are Deni Avdija with 14 missed games from a back injury, Luka Dončić with 12 from a hamstring injury, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 11 from an abdominal strain, and Anthony Edwards with 10 from hamstring and foot issues.
The rule aims to encourage player availability, but it has drawn attention to injury patterns among stars. Voters and fans must now factor in participation alongside performance.
