Kawhi Leonard Reacts to NBA's 65-Game Rule for Award Eligibility

Clippers star says rule won't stop players from sitting out if injured, but appreciates individual honors.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:03am

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LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has been having an MVP-caliber season, but needs to play in 8 more games to be eligible for end-of-season NBA awards due to the league's new 65-game rule. Leonard says the rule won't stop players from sitting out if they're truly injured, but he appreciates the individual honors and the recognition for his hard work this season.

Why it matters

The 65-game rule has faced criticism after Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham suffered a serious injury and may not reach the threshold, potentially missing out on awards he has played well enough to win. Leonard's comments provide insight into how players view the new policy.

The details

Leonard has played in 57 of the Clippers' 73 games so far this season, missing time due to a right ankle sprain and a couple of left ankle sprains. He needs to play in 8 of the team's final 9 games to reach the 65-game minimum for award eligibility. Leonard says the rule is 'great for the league' in trying to stop players from sitting out, but doesn't think it will actually change behavior if a player is truly injured and needs rest.

  • As of March 27, 2026, Leonard has played in 57 of the Clippers' 73 games.
  • Leonard needs to play in 8 of the Clippers' final 9 games to reach the 65-game threshold.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A star forward for the LA Clippers who is having an MVP-caliber season, averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

Cade Cunningham

A guard for the Detroit Pistons who is having an All-NBA caliber season, averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, but may miss the 65-game threshold due to a collapsed lung injury.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's great for the league, I guess, trying to stop people just from sitting. But like I said before, I don't think that rule is changing anybody to play if they're really hurt. I don't think it makes sense to just try to get through a game if you're in nagging pain or it's something that you're trying to keep under control. It is what it is. The healthiest guys play and that's just how the ball rolls.”

— Kawhi Leonard

What’s next

The Clippers have 9 games remaining in the regular season, and Leonard needs to play in 8 of them to reach the 65-game threshold for award eligibility.

The takeaway

The NBA's new 65-game rule for end-of-season award eligibility has faced criticism, with players like Kawhi Leonard arguing it won't stop them from sitting out if they are truly injured. However, the rule highlights the league's efforts to incentivize player availability, even if the execution remains imperfect.