Dončić and Cunningham Cleared for NBA Honors Despite Shortfall

League approves 'Extraordinary Circumstances' appeals for two star players

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:55pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring dynamic, neon-colored brushstrokes and shapes that capture the energy and movement of professional basketball players in action, conceptually representing the NBA's flexibility in honoring top players despite missed games.The NBA's decision to grant 'Extraordinary Circumstances' appeals for two of the league's rising stars underscores the league's commitment to recognizing exceptional individual performances, even when players miss a small number of games.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 just short of the 65-game minimum requirement.

Why it matters

The decisions set an important precedent around the league's award eligibility rules, allowing two of the NBA's brightest young stars to be recognized for their exceptional individual performances despite missing a small number of games due to unique personal and medical circumstances.

The details

Dončić missed two games in December to attend the birth of his child, sat out one game due to suspension, and was ultimately 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 and Cunningham were cleared for awards eligibility on April 16, 2026.
  • Dončić has not played since early April and is expected to miss at least part of the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, which begins on April 18, 2026.

The players

Luka Dončić

A star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who led the NBA in scoring this season despite missing several games due to personal and injury issues.

Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons' star player who missed 11 games due to a serious medical issue but still had a highly productive season, helping his team earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Anthony Edwards

A 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.

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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 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 decisions to grant 'Extraordinary Circumstances' appeals for Dončić and Cunningham demonstrate the league's willingness to adapt its eligibility rules to account for unique player situations, ensuring that some of the game's brightest talents are recognized for their exceptional individual performances despite missing a small number of games.