The NBA's 65-game minimum for end-of-season awards, introduced in 2023, faces scrutiny after Nikola Jokić's knee injury likely disqualifies him from MVP contention. Critics argue the rule fails to curb load management and instead pressures young players to rush recoveries for financial incentives. Historical data shows such absences rarely affected awards before, but All-NBA selections now tie directly to supermax contracts.
In 2023, the NBA implemented a 65-game threshold for eligibility in major awards like MVP, aiming to deter load management practices that emerged around the 2012-13 season. The rule gained renewed attention when Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić suffered a hyperextended knee, projected to sideline him for about four weeks and push his total games played just below the limit. Despite trailing Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander closely in the MVP race, Jokić's absence would likely hand the award to his rival regardless, as historical precedents confirm players with lengthy injuries seldom win.
Only five MVPs have been awarded to players appearing in fewer than 65 games, four during shortened seasons: Karl Malone (49 of 50 in 1999), LeBron James (62 of 66 in 2012), Giannis Antetokounmpo (63 of 73 in 2020), and Bob Cousy (64 of 72 in 1958). The sole full-season exception was Bill Walton in 1978 with 58 games for the dominant Portland Trail Blazers. Similar patterns hold for Defensive Player of the Year, with Rudy Gobert's 2018 win at 56 games being notable but not transformative.
The rule's real impact emerges in All-NBA selections, which influence salary eligibility under the Derrick Rose Rule and designated veteran extensions. From 2013 to 2023 across nine 82-game seasons, 18 of 135 All-NBA slots (13%) went to players under 65 games, up from 7 of 180 (4%) in the prior 12 full seasons. This shift coincided with TV rights negotiations, suggesting the policy reassured broadcasters of star availability, such as in LeBron James games.
Yet, the average age of those 18 players was nearly 30, often older stars like James (21 All-NBA nods) or injury-prone talents like Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard benefiting from advanced recovery and rest. Younger players, however, face risks. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, an MVP candidate early in 2023-24, rushed back from a hamstring injury to reach 69 games, securing Third-Team All-NBA and a 30% max contract worth $53 million more. Reflecting on it, Haliburton told JJ Redick: "I thought I was ready to go for the Portland game. So did our medical staff. Everybody agreed. But if this was never the case, I might have been like, 'Give it another game or two. Maybe think more through this. Let's try to be 100%.'" The injury lingered, affecting his performance into the next season.
Currently, stars like Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, and Antetokounmpo risk ineligibility, potentially lowering All-NBA standards to the top 19 or 22 players instead of the elite 15. This could lead to undeserved supermax deals or strained team relations, prompting calls to repeal the rule now that the TV deal is secured.
