Overview
- Players must log 65 appearances, with at least 20 minutes in 63 games, to qualify for MVP, All-NBA and other honors under the rule adopted in the 2023 CBA.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, still the betting favorite, has missed his 10th game and remains sidelined with an abdominal strain, while Nikola Jokic is only two absences from disqualification.
- Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards each have only a few missed games to spare, and LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo are already ineligible.
- Cade Cunningham’s availability has boosted his candidacy as he has missed just six games for East-leading Detroit; his MVP odds have climbed to +450 at BetMGM over the past week.
- Analysts, including The Athletic’s Eric Koreen, warn the rule could hand MVP to a qualified but less impactful player and may pressure injured stars to return late in the season.