NBA award races tighten as 65-game rule puts MVP field in flux
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As the NBA regular season enters its final six weeks, the 65-game eligibility rule is reshaping every major postseason award, most notably Most Valuable Player.
MVP
Favorite: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-250) remains on top at DraftKings Sportsbook, but the Oklahoma City guard has already missed 11 of 60 games with an abdominal injury and must avoid four more absences to stay in the race. He is expected to return Friday against Denver.
Chasing pack: Nikola Jokić (+425) sits second despite 16 missed games, while Cade Cunningham (+700) has guided Detroit to the league’s best record behind 25.4 points, 9.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Long shots to watch: Victor Wembanyama (25-1) is on pace to clear the threshold after appearing in 32 of San Antonio’s past 34 contests and anchoring an 11-game winning streak. Jaylen Brown (40-1), Luka Dončić (75-1) and Anthony Edwards (250-1) also remain on the board.
Rookie of the Year
Leader: Cooper Flagg (-125) surged with a late-January scoring binge but has missed nine games and is out with a foot injury.
In the hunt: Former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel (-105) has closed the gap, averaging 19.4 points while flirting with 50/40/90 shooting and boosting Charlotte into playoff contention.
Long shots: VJ Edgecombe (100-1) and Derik Queen (500-1) remain distant options.
Sixth Man of the Year
Front-runner: Naz Reid (+120) seeks a second trophy with career-best averages of 14.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steal.
Contenders: Keldon Johnson (+240) provides scoring punch for the streaking Spurs, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. (+650) has cooled after an early push. Reed Sheppard (15-1), Tim Hardaway Jr. (17-1) and Dylan Harper (200-1) hold outside value.
Defensive Player of the Year
Favorite: Wembanyama (-500) leads thanks to elite rim protection, contingent on meeting the games requirement.
Top challenger: Chet Holmgren (+400) could capitalize if Wembanyama falls short. Rudy Gobert (15-1) would enter the conversation should Minnesota finish strong.
With multiple front-runners flirting with the 65-game cutoff, bettors are monitoring Cunningham and Wembanyama for MVP value, while Knueppel’s durability keeps the Rookie of the Year race alive.
Source: ESPN
