Awards Eligibility
Luka Dončić sidelined by Grade 2 hamstring strain, agent to challenge All-NBA eligibility
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Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during Thursday's 139-96 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, confirmed by MRI on Friday. The injury rules him out for the remainder of the regular season—and likely into the playoffs—with a typical 4-6 week recovery. His agent plans an extraordinary circumstances grievance for awards eligibility after playing 64 games.
The NBA and players' union have ruled that Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham qualify for postseason awards under an extraordinary circumstances provision. Their appeals succeeded, making them eligible for honors like MVP and All-NBA teams. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards' appeal was denied.
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Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart, who calls himself the NBA's best defender, must play at least 20 minutes in each of the team's remaining 19 games to qualify for end-of-season awards. He leads the league in defensive field goal percentage at the rim for the second straight year, with opponents shooting just 42.7% against him. Stewart has expressed frustration with the league's 65-game rule, which he believes disadvantages dedicated players.