The NBA awards races are heating up. But in addition to the nightly on-court performances of the league’s brightest stars, fans (and voters) will have to keep an eye on whether or not the stars are actually, um, on the court.
Due to the NBA’s 65-game rule, players must appear in 65 games over the course of the 82-game season to qualify for year-end awards. This has led to a number of prominent players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry, being rendered ineligible for regular-season honors due to injuries. With approximately six weeks left in the season and only about 20 games remaining, several other notable candidates are at risk of missing the eligibility threshold. Let’s delve into the current landscape and examine players’ eligibility for coveted NBA awards.
Players at Risk of Not Qualifying for NBA Awards
Under the league’s 65-game rule, any player who misses 18 games will no longer be eligible for season-ending awards. As the season enters its final stretch, here are some key players who could be on the chopping block:
Nikola Jokić, Nuggets: 16 Games Missed
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Jokić has missed a month with a left knee injury, putting his MVP campaign in jeopardy.
Lauri Markkanen, Jazz: 16 Games Missed
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Currently dealing with a hip injury, Markkanen’s absence has been notable for the Jazz’s playoff push.
Devin Booker, Suns: 15 Missed Games
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With a right hip strain, along with previous issues from an ankle sprain, Booker’s playoff aspirations seem precarious.
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers: 15 Games Missed
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Mobley’s season has been disrupted due to two calf strain injuries, impacting his eligibility for awards.
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers: 14 Missed Games
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Ongoing ankle soreness, combined with previous foot injuries, limits Leonard’s availability.
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: 14 Missed Games
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Wembanyama has missed time earlier in the season due to calf and knee injuries, dimming the rookie of the year conversation.
Deni Avdija, Trail Blazers: 13 Missed Games
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Out with a back injury, Avdija’s potential remains sidelined as the award races heat up.
Luka Dončić, Lakers: 12 Missed Games
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Dončić missed four games before the All-Star break due to a left hamstring injury, affecting his all-NBA candidacy.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: 11 Missed Games
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Gilgeous-Alexander faced nine games missed due to an abdominal strain, which could jeopardize his all-star placement.
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: 10 Missed Games
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Edwards has had issues with his hamstring and foot injuries earlier this season, putting him at a disadvantage for awards.
Cooper Flagg, Mavericks: 10 Missed Games
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Currently out with a left foot sprain, Flagg’s potential was rising before this unfortunate setback.
Players Ineligible for NBA Awards
As the league’s 65-game threshold looms ever larger, certain star players have already become ineligible for year-end accolades:
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
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Anthony Davis, Mavericks/Wizards
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Trae Young, Hawks/Wizards
This evolving landscape of player injuries and eligibility threatens to shake up the narratives surrounding this season’s awards, creating a compelling story that will unfold as the games continue to progress.