The race for NBA end-of-season awards gains a new chapter, filled with exceptions, controversy, and a rule – the 65-game threshold – increasingly under scrutiny.

The league has officially made a decision bound to generate debate: Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham will be eligible for NBA Awards, while Anthony Edwards remains excluded.

65-Game Rule Exception: What Happened

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, a player must appear in at least 65 games to qualify for season awards. However, there is a clause for “extraordinary circumstances”.

It’s this exception that allowed the NBA and the NBPA to intervene directly in the cases of Doncic and Cunningham, avoiding the need for an independent arbitrator.

  • Doncic played 64 games, missing two to attend the birth of his daughter
  • Cunningham appeared in 63 games after suffering a collapsed lung in March

In a joint statement, the league and the players’ union clarified that, considering the overall context, both players “meet the criteria for end-of-season awards”.

Doncic’s Reaction

The Los Angeles Lakers star welcomed the decision:

It was very important for me to be present at the birth of my daughter. I appreciate the support from the team, and I’m honored to be considered for the awards

Luka Doncic

The Edwards Case: A Controversial Exclusion

A different outcome for Anthony Edwards, who finished at 60 games. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard appealed to an independent arbitrator, but his request was denied.

The decision raised concerns and criticism, even within his inner circle. His agent questioned the inconsistency of treatment:

Anthony and I appreciate that the union appealed his case. Personally, I’m a bit confused by the leniency given to Cade, who missed games due to something that happened on the court, and not to Ant, who was sidelined by an infection. But in the end, you already know Ant isn’t worried about this at all – zero

Anthony Edwards’ agent

Head coach Chris Finch also criticized the system:

If two-thirds of appeals are accepted, then this rule feels more like a suggestion than an actual rule

Chris Finch

A Rule Under Fire: Is It Really Necessary?

The issue goes beyond these three cases. Several top-tier names – such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Devin Booker – were excluded from award races for not reaching the minimum threshold.

Meanwhile, others narrowly made the cut:

  • Victor Wembanyama reached 65 games in the second-to-last game
  • Nikola Jokic got there on the final day of the season

A situation that has led some coaches, including David Adelman, to call for a revision of the rule.

Adam Silver Defends the NBA’s Position

Despite the criticism, commissioner Adam Silver stood firm:

It’s working. Before its introduction, nearly a third of All-NBA players didn’t play 80% of the games. That was a serious problem

Adam Silver

The goal remains to limit load management and ensure greater availability of star players.

NBA Awards: Voting Set to Begin

With these cases resolved, the NBA is ready to send out ballots for end-of-season awards.

Results will be announced progressively during the playoffs, along with the All-NBA, All-Defense, and All-Rookie Teams.

The decisions on Doncic and Cunningham show a degree of flexibility – but the Edwards case highlights how inconsistent the application of the rule still appears to be.