Several of the league’s biggest names, including Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama and Stephen Curry, are in danger of being ruled out for this season’s major postseason honors because of the NBA’s 65-game eligibility requirement.
The provision, negotiated into the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, bars players who appear in fewer than 65 regular-season games from receiving Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, All-NBA or All-Defensive recognition.
Who is affected?
- Nikola Jokic is currently rehabbing a knee injury expected to sideline him for about a month, making it almost impossible for the three-time MVP to reach the 65-game threshold.
- Luka Doncic has already missed seven games.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama have each sat out 14 contests, leaving little margin for error.
- Anthony Edwards has been absent for eight games to date.
- Stephen Curry is at 10 missed games as the season approaches its midpoint.
While players can seek an Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge to restore eligibility, the mechanism is narrow and unlikely to assist most candidates who fail to meet the 65-game mark.
The rule also carries financial implications, as certain awards trigger super-max extension eligibility and other contract bonuses. League officials contend the measure helps ensure fans see star players on the floor rather than resting for load management or minor ailments.
With roughly half the schedule still to play, the availability of Jokic, Doncic, Antetokounmpo, Wembanyama, Edwards and Curry will determine whether the NBA’s most coveted individual accolades have a dramatically different look this spring.
Source: Hoops Rumors
