Cade Cunningham’s Lung Injury Threatens Awards Eligibility Under NBA’s 65-Game Rule
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The NBA’s minimum-games requirement for individual awards is once again under scrutiny after Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham was diagnosed with a collapsed lung. The third-year standout has logged 60 qualifying appearances; unless he returns by early April and reaches 65 games of at least 20 minutes each, he will be disqualified from Most Valuable Player and All-NBA consideration.
Teammate Isaiah Stewart is facing the same barrier. The forward/center, who had entered the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, remains stuck below the threshold because of a calf strain.
The policy, introduced this season to emphasize availability, is straightforward: a player must participate in 65 contests and record 20 or more minutes in most of them to remain eligible for major honors. Missing even a handful of late-season games eliminates any candidate, regardless of performance or impact.
Cunningham’s situation underscores how razor-thin the margin has become across the league:
- Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokić have little room for additional absences.
- Victor Wembanyama can sit out only two more matchups.
- Anthony Edwards likely needs to return by late March.
Defensive accolades are just as tight. Draymond Green must play nearly every remaining game to stay in the All-Defensive race, while rookie Ausar Thompson can afford just one more night off.
The Most Improved Player field has already thinned. Injuries have effectively removed Michael Porter Jr. and Dillon Brooks from contention, and early frontrunner Deni Avdija has no margin left.
The league intended the 65-game cutoff to reward durability, yet it is now compelling stars to race against the schedule as much as the standings. With Detroit once holding a spot among the Eastern Conference’s leaders, Cunningham’s return window—and that five-game gap—could shape multiple award ballots before the regular season ends.
Source: Hoops Wire
