Luka Doncic of the Lakers and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham have been ruled eligible for the NBA’s 2023-24 end-of-season honors after winning their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenges tied to the league’s 65-game requirement, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
The NBA rule stipulates that players must appear in at least 65 regular-season contests to qualify for accolades such as Most Valuable Player and All-NBA. Doncic and Cunningham each logged 64 games, one short of the threshold, before filing challenges that cited unique absences.
Why the Challenges Were Filed
Cunningham’s petition focused on health issues. The third-year guard missed 11 games after an ailment first labeled as back spasms was later diagnosed as a collapsed lung, sidelining him for several weeks before a late-season return.
Doncic’s case detailed two separate interruptions. The All-Star guard missed two games for the birth of his second child and later sat out with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that required treatment overseas. His representatives argued that the circumstances warranted an exception, stating their intent to “ensure that Luka’s incredible accomplishments this season are rightly honored,” according to agent Billy Duffy.
Impact on a Tight Awards Race
With both challenges approved, Doncic and Cunningham re-enter consideration for league awards, potentially reshaping close races for individual honors as voting approaches.
Source: Hoops Wire
