Dončić and Cunningham Cleared for NBA Honors Despite Falling Short

The league and players' union approved 'Extraordinary Circumstances' appeals for the two stars.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:55pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, breaking down a basketball game into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of color and shape, with the players' faces and uniforms deconstructed into abstract forms.A cubist interpretation of the NBA's decision to grant exceptions for star players Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham, allowing them to remain eligible for major awards despite falling just short of the game minimum.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 appearing in just 64 games—one shy of the 65-game minimum. Both players faced unique situations that led to their absences, and the league determined they should not be penalized.

Why it matters

This decision allows two of the league's top young talents, Dončić and Cunningham, to be considered for prestigious honors like MVP and All-NBA teams, despite missing a small number of games due to extenuating circumstances. It highlights the NBA's willingness to make exceptions in certain cases to ensure the most deserving players are recognized.

The details

Dončić missed two games in December to attend the birth of his child, sat out one game due to suspension, and was sidelined by a hamstring injury that ended his regular season. Despite that, 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 guide the Pistons to the top seed in the East.

  • Dončić missed two games in December to attend the birth of his child.
  • Dončić sat out one 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.
  • The NBA and NBPA ruled in favor of Dončić and Cunningham's appeals on April 17, 2026.

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.

Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons' star player who helped guide the team to the top seed in the Eastern Conference, averaging 23.9 points and 9.9 assists per game.

Anthony Edwards

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

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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 he has not played since early April and is expected to miss at least part of the series.

The takeaway

The NBA's decision to grant exceptions for Dončić and Cunningham highlights the league's willingness to make accommodations for star players who miss a small number of games due to unique circumstances, ensuring the most deserving talents are recognized for their achievements.