NBPA Asks for Review of 65-Game Rule: Impact on NBA Stars

Cade Cunningham in Doubt for Individual Awards Due to the 65-Game Rule

Cade Cunningham, Detroit guard’s eligibility to receive individual honors, such as a spot on the All-NBA team, is in doubt due to the 65-game rule. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has expressed its concern about it. The NBPA, which agreed to this rule as part of the current agreement between the league and the players, seeks to have the rule modified, at least.

“The potential ineligibility of Cade Cunningham for postseason awards after a career-defining season is a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and another example of why it should be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries,” the union said through a spokesperson.

NBPA

Cunningham has played in 61 games this season and is expected to miss several more while recovering from a collapsed lung. If he misses too many games, he will not meet the 65-game threshold.

“Cade has had an All-NBA first team season,” said Jeff Schwartz, Cunningham’s agent. “If he doesn’t reach the arbitrary threshold of games played due to a legitimate injury, he shouldn’t be disqualified from the recognition he has clearly earned during the season. The league should reward excellence, not apply rigid cuts that ignore context. An exception needs to be made.”

Jeff Schwartz

Several players could be ineligible for the major individual awards this season due to the 65-game rule. The main MVP contenders, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic, can still miss some games and maintain their eligibility.

There are certain exceptions for a player to be eligible for awards such as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive teams, and All-NBA teams, even if they don’t reach 65 games. Players who appear in 62 games and suffer a season-ending injury may also be eligible, although that wouldn’t apply in Cunningham’s case.