Overview
- Anthony Edwards is officially ineligible for season awards under the NBA’s 65-game rule after missing a game, with only 58 of his 59 appearances counting because one fell short of the minutes cutoff.
- Cade Cunningham has played 61 games and is sidelined with a collapsed lung, and with Detroit expecting him out at least another week he is unlikely to reach the 65-game mark.
- Luka Dončić left a game with a hamstring issue and now needs one more appearance to qualify, with the team yet to set a return timeline.
- The rule counts only games that meet set floor times, requiring at least 20 minutes in 63 games and at least 15 minutes in all 65, so brief stints do not help eligibility.
- The shake-up could open All-NBA spots that carry major pay stakes, including a reported path for Pistons center Jalen Duren to qualify for a richer extension if he makes a team.