Luka Dončić Seeks Loophole to Fight for MVP and All-NBA Eligibility

NBA star could use 'extraordinary circumstances' grievance to overcome 65-game threshold

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:48pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting Luka Dončić's basketball movements as fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the complexity and uncertainty surrounding his potential MVP candidacy.Dončić's MVP hopes hang in the balance as he navigates the NBA's complex eligibility rules.Boston Today

Luka Dončić, the NBA's leading scorer, faces the possibility of missing out on end-of-season awards like MVP and All-NBA due to the league's 65-game eligibility rule. However, Dončić may have a path to remain eligible by filing an 'extraordinary circumstances' grievance over missing two games in December for the birth of his child.

Why it matters

The NBA's 65-game rule has created a minefield for award eligibility this season, with several top players like Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James already ruled out. Dončić's potential grievance could set a precedent for how the league handles such extraordinary circumstances in the future.

The details

Dončić currently sits at 64 games played after suffering a left hamstring injury on Thursday night against the Thunder. One game short of the 65-game threshold, Dončić faces the possibility of winning the scoring title but not being recognized on the All-NBA ballot. However, ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported that Dončić has a potential path to remain eligible by filing a grievance over the two games he missed in December for the birth of his second daughter. An arbitrator would rule on the grievance after the regular season, potentially pushing Dončić's total games played to 66 and preserving his award eligibility.

  • Dončić missed the Lakers' games against Toronto and Boston in early December to travel to Slovenia for the birth of his second daughter, Olivia.
  • Dončić suffered a left hamstring injury on Thursday night against the Thunder, leaving the game in visible pain.

The players

Luka Dončić

The NBA's leading scorer this season, averaging 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game in March.

JJ Redick

The Lakers' head coach, who said the team's staff evaluated Dončić's injury at halftime and cleared him to continue playing.

Jalen Williams

The Thunder player who was defending Dončić when he aggravated his left hamstring injury.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder player who is second in the NBA in scoring average, trailing Dončić by nearly two full points per game.

Tim Bontemps

The ESPN reporter who broke the news about Dončić's potential path to remain eligible for end-of-season awards.

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What they’re saying

“As I just reported on @SportsCenter, there is one way Luka Doncic can be eligible for end-of-season awards: by filing an extraordinary circumstances grievance over missing two games in December over the birth of his child. An arbitrator would rule on it after the regular season.”

— Tim Bontemps, ESPN Reporter

“There is at least a path where [Luka Doncic] could be eligible to be on MVP ballots.”

— Tim Bontemps, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

Dončić is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Friday in Dallas, with results expected later in the day. The severity of the hamstring strain will determine whether he can play in at least one more game before the regular season concludes on April 12.

The takeaway

The NBA's 65-game eligibility rule has created a complex situation for award contenders like Luka Dončić, who may have to rely on an 'extraordinary circumstances' grievance to maintain their eligibility. This case could set a precedent for how the league handles similar situations in the future.