Pistons' Jalen Duren Defends Cade Cunningham's MVP, All-NBA Snub

Cunningham's injuries have made him ineligible for top NBA honors this season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:28pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicts a basketball player in motion, their form deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes, conveying the star power of an injured player whose impact transcends missed games.A fractured, cubist illustration captures the dynamic energy of Cade Cunningham's standout season, despite his injury-shortened campaign.Today in Detroit

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren has come to the defense of his injured teammate Cade Cunningham, who will miss out on MVP and All-NBA honors this season due to the league's 65-game eligibility rule. Cunningham has played 61 games, four shy of the requirement, despite being a top MVP candidate when healthy. Duren called the situation "tough" but said Cunningham's impact is "already kind of cemented" among NBA fans.

Why it matters

The 65-game rule has come under scrutiny as it penalizes star players who miss time due to injury, even if their on-court production warrants top individual awards. Cunningham's Pistons have remained atop the Eastern Conference despite his absences, showcasing the team's depth, but the rule prevents their franchise player from receiving the recognition he deserves.

The details

Cunningham has been sidelined with a collapsed lung and other injuries for portions of the season, limiting him to 61 games played. Despite his stellar averages of 24.5 points and 10 assists per game, he will not qualify for the MVP award or an All-NBA selection due to the 65-game eligibility rule. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff has also criticized the rule, saying "Guys shouldn't have to feel like they have to play hurt or injured to make something like that happen."

  • Cunningham has been sidelined with a collapsed lung and other injuries for portions of the 2025-26 NBA season.
  • Cunningham has played 61 games this season, four shy of the 65-game requirement to qualify for MVP and All-NBA honors.

The players

Jalen Duren

A center for the Detroit Pistons who has stepped up in Cade Cunningham's absence and defended his teammate's case for top individual awards.

Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons' All-Star point guard who has been a top MVP candidate this season but will miss out on the award and All-NBA honors due to the league's 65-game eligibility rule.

J.B. Bickerstaff

The head coach of the Detroit Pistons who has criticized the 65-game rule, saying players shouldn't have to play through injuries to qualify for awards.

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What they’re saying

“It speaks for itself. Obviously, it's tough that he won't be eligible to qualify. But I think the world knows, and everybody has seen it. He's easily a top-3 MVP candidate when he's on the floor. Easily first team All-NBA. He's easily the clutch player of the year. I think he wins all of them.”

— Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons Center

“I understand the intent of the rule, but the execution part of it is difficult to understand. And it does have an impact on the way the game is played and the way the game is coached also. There are so many different things now that you have to take into consideration that you shouldn't have to take into consideration.”

— J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons Head Coach

What’s next

The Pistons have reported that Cunningham continues to make progress in his recovery and is expected to be re-evaluated in a week.

The takeaway

The 65-game eligibility rule for NBA awards has come under scrutiny, as it penalizes star players like Cade Cunningham who miss time due to injury, even when their on-court production warrants top individual honors. This case highlights the need for the league to re-examine the rule to ensure the most deserving players are recognized, regardless of missed games.