Dončić and Cunningham Cleared for NBA Honors Despite Falling Short of Games

League and players' union approve 'Extraordinary Circumstances' appeals for Lakers and Pistons stars

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game, with overlapping planes of royal blue, crimson red, and golden yellow, conceptually representing the NBA's nuanced approach to evaluating player performance.The NBA's flexible approach to award eligibility allows stars like Dončić and Cunningham to be recognized for their standout seasons, even when extenuating circumstances prevent them from meeting standard game requirements.Houston Today

Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham will remain eligible for major NBA awards this season after the league and players' union approved their 'Extraordinary Circumstances' appeals, despite both players falling short of the 65-game minimum requirement. Dončić missed games due to personal and injury reasons, while Cunningham sat out after a serious medical issue. However, their exceptional performances this season have earned them consideration for honors like MVP and All-NBA teams.

Why it matters

The NBA's 65-game minimum rule is intended to ensure award candidates have played a substantial portion of the season. However, these 'Extraordinary Circumstances' rulings demonstrate the league's willingness to make exceptions for star players who miss games due to unique personal or medical situations, rather than simple load management or rest.

The details

Dončić missed 2 games in December to attend the birth of his child, sat out 1 game due to suspension, and was sidelined by a hamstring injury that ended his regular season. Despite this, he led the league with 33.5 points per game. Cunningham missed 11 consecutive games after suffering a collapsed lung in March, but still averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists, helping the Pistons earn the top seed in the East.

  • Dončić missed 2 games in December to attend the birth of his child.
  • Dončić sat out 1 game due to suspension.
  • Dončić was sidelined by a hamstring injury that ended his regular season.
  • Cunningham missed 11 consecutive games after suffering a collapsed lung in March.
  • Dončić has not played since early April and is expected to miss at least part of the Lakers' first-round playoff series.

The players

Luka Dončić

A star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who led the league in scoring this season with 33.5 points per game, despite missing several games due to personal and injury reasons.

Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons' star player who missed 11 consecutive games after suffering a collapsed lung in March, but still averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists, helping the Pistons earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves player who also filed an appeal after appearing in 61 games due to a late-season knee injury, but his request was denied by an independent arbitrator.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Just in: The NBA and NBPA have ruled in favor of Lakers' Luka Doncic and Pistons' Cade Cunningham on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge for the 65-game award rule, making both eligible for all 2025-26 season honors such as MVP and All-NBA teams.”

— Shams Charania, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

Dončić's availability for the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets remains uncertain, as the team has not provided a clear timeline for his return from the hamstring injury that sidelined him at the end of the regular season.

The takeaway

The NBA's willingness to make exceptions for star players who miss games due to unique personal or medical situations, rather than simple load management or rest, demonstrates the league's commitment to recognizing exceptional individual performances, even when players fall short of the standard 65-game minimum requirement.