Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham Defy NBA’s 65-Game Rule: What This Means for Awards

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Luka Dončić (LA Lakers) and Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) have been cleared for consideration for major individual NBA awards despite falling short of the league’s eligibility threshold.

The NBA announced on the 17th (Korean time) that it and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) agreed both players qualify under the collective bargaining agreement’s exceptional‑circumstances clause.

Starting with the 2023–24 season, players must appear in at least 65 of 82 regular‑season games to be eligible for major individual awards.

Dončić played in 64 games this season and Cunningham in 63, leaving both short of that minimum.

However, the CBA includes a provision that allows players who fall short of the 65‑game requirement to apply for ballot eligibility under exceptional circumstances, and both players submitted requests for review.

Dončić missed two games last December while traveling overseas for the birth of his child, and Cunningham missed 12 games in mid‑March after suffering a pneumothorax.

After a comprehensive review of each case, the league office said it determined both players meet the criteria under the exceptional‑circumstances clause.

Following the announcement, Dončić thanked the NBPA and the NBA on social media for advocating on his behalf and for what he called a fair decision.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards also sought an eligibility review but was denied; he missed 60 games this season due to illness and related issues.

The 65‑game standard remains a point of debate, but the league said it will keep the rule, arguing it effectively deters frequent absences.