NBA awards and the 65-game rule: NBPA steps in – “Immediate reform needed”

The NBA Regular Season is entering its decisive phase, but off the court a growing debate is heating up: the 65-game rule, now at the center of criticism from the NBPA. The case of Cade Cunningham risks becoming the symbol of a system that, according to many, fails to account for real-world context.

The Detroit Pistons star is having what is undoubtedly the best season of his career. Yet, due to a serious injury – a collapsed lung – he may not reach the minimum threshold required to be eligible for individual awards.

NBPA vs the rule: “Immediate reform is needed”

The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has taken a firm stance, calling for changes to the rule introduced in the current collective bargaining agreement.

The potential ineligibility of Cade Cunningham for end-of-season awards, after a year that defines his trajectory, represents a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and is yet another example of why it must be eliminated or reformed to include an exception for significant injuries

NBPA

According to the union, the Cunningham case represents “a clear indictment of an overly rigid and arbitrary rule”. The request is simple: introduce exceptions for significant injuries or completely overhaul the system.

Since its introduction, too many deserving players have been unfairly excluded from end-of-season honors due to this arbitrary and excessively rigid threshold

NBPA

The core issue is that a rule designed to limit load management ends up penalizing players who are forced to sit out for legitimate, documented reasons.

An All-NBA season at risk of exclusion

Currently, Cunningham has played 61 games and is unlikely to reach the 65-game mark. A detail that could carry massive consequences.

His agent, Jeff Schwartz, clearly outlined the issue:

If he falls just short of an arbitrary threshold due to a legitimate injury, he should not be excluded from an honor he earned on the court

Jeff Schwartz

Not an isolated case: many stars involved

The issue goes beyond just Cunningham. Several high-profile players risk missing out on end-of-season awards:

• LeBron James will see his streak of 21 All-NBA selections come to an end
• Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry are already out of contention
• Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama are dangerously close to the minimum threshold

Even in the MVP race, the situation remains delicate: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic still have some margin but cannot afford many more absences.

Players speak out: “You can’t control everything”

Frustration is growing among players. Donovan Mitchell summed up the general sentiment:

It’s fair to want players on the court, but there are things you can’t control. We’re not talking about rest – these are real injuries

Donovan Mitchell

That’s the key point: the rule is based on a reasonable idea, but in practice it risks creating paradoxical situations.

The 65-game rule: does it really work as is?

There are already some exceptions, such as for players who appear in at least 62 games and then suffer a season-ending injury. But not every case fits those criteria, and Cunningham is one of them.

The debate remains open: maintain a rigid threshold or introduce greater flexibility?

For now, the feeling is that the NBA will have to step in. Because when All-NBA level performances risk being ignored over three or four missing games, the system inevitably shows its limits.