With the 2025-26 NBA season nearing its conclusion, we’re almost to the point where a panel of 125 media members will vote on individual honors such as the Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year and more. But first, thanks to a rule that has inspired significant debate in its three years in place, we must determine which players are even allowed to receive consideration for these awards.
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Before 2023, there was no set criteria for a player to be considered for any postseason award, save for the requirement that any Sixth Man of the Year candidate started fewer than 50 percent of their games during the season. But under public pressure to curb the “load management” that at times limited stars’ games and minutes during the regular season to stay fresh for the playoffs, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association came together on a new policy that required players to appear in at least 65 regular-season games to be eligible for many postseason awards. The provision, which was agreed to as part of a new collective bargaining agreement, has colloquially become known as the 65-game rule.
Before we get to the list of players eligible and ineligible for postseason honors based on this new criteria, some quick points of clarification:
Which awards does this apply to?: MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA, All-Defense and Most Improved Player. It does not apply to Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year or the All-Rookie teams.
What counts as a game?: Players must log at least 20 minutes for the game to count for awards criteria. However, they are allowed two “near-miss” scenarios where they play between 15 and 20 minutes in a game. In practice, that means a player could log at least 20 minutes in 63 games, play between 15 and 20 minutes twice and remain eligible.
Are there other exceptions to the rule?: Yes, as we’ll get into with some of the players below. Most notably, players retain eligibility if they suffer a season-ending injury after their 62nd game. There is also the possibility of an “Extraordinary Circumstance Challenge” exception that could apply to one very notable MVP candidate.
So, who is and isn’t eligible for those relevant end-of-season awards? Below is the list.
Last update: April 6.
Already eligible for awards
These players have already crossed the 65-game threshold based on the NBA’s criteria.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The reigning MVP and betting favorite to repeat is having an even better shooting season for the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, all while delivering several clutch moments in marquee games. While an abdominal strain that held him out for several games around the All-Star break threatened his eligibility, Gilgeous-Alexander returned with plenty of time to spare and crossed the 65-game threshold with a week left in the season.
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Jaylen Brown: With co-star Jayson Tatum sidelined for the majority of the season, Brown stepped up his game to keep the Celtics near the top of the Eastern Conference. A dark-horse MVP candidate who will almost certainly reach an all-NBA team, Brown is on track to post career-best scoring, rebounding and assist numbers while remaining one of the league’s top defenders.
Tyrese Maxey: The Philadelphia 76ers star’s production has dropped slightly since a torrid first half of the season, but he still ranks among the NBA’s leading scorers while leading Philadelphia back to the postseason. He injured his pinky finger in early March but returned ahead of schedule to aid Philadelphia’s playoff push and ensure his award eligibility. He should be a lock for an All-NBA spot.
Jalen Brunson: The 29-year-old guard has been a model of consistency for the New York Knicks, posting similar numbers to his last two All-NBA campaigns. After nearly missing out on award eligibility last season, Brunson got over the 65-game line with plenty of time to spare.
Kevin Durant: The 37-year-old is aging like fine wine, averaging nearly 26 points per game for the Houston Rockets while shouldering one of the heaviest minutes loads in the league. As of Monday, Durant ranks second in the NBA in total minutes behind teammate Amen Thompson and third in minutes per game behind Maxey and Thompson.
Donovan Mitchell: The Cleveland Cavaliers’ star has battled nagging injuries this season — most recently a sore ankle — but has otherwise been the lone constant in a season of change in Cleveland. The 29-year-old has increased his scoring average from last season while shooting a significantly higher percentage from 2-point land.
Jamal Murray: The notorious slow starter brought it from the opening tip this season for the Denver Nuggets, posting career-best scoring numbers while tracking to finish with his most games played in a season since 2018-19. The 28-year-old finally earned his first All-Star honor this season; could his first All-NBA selection be next with several other candidates now on the shelf?
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Scottie Barnes: The 24-year-old wing has sacrificed some of his scoring load in exchange for putting together his best all-around season for the Toronto Raptors. He’s a shoo-in for an All-Defensive Team selection, with an outside chance of earning the Defensive Player of the Year award on the off chance a certain 7-4 Spurs alien fails to reach the 65-game threshold. Why not All-NBA, too?
Jalen Johnson: The Atlanta Hawks believed in Johnson enough to move on from Trae Young earlier this season, and Johnson has rewarded their faith with a superlative all-around season. His 13 triple-doubles are the most in franchise history and the second-most in the NBA this season behind Nikola Jokić. Johnson is a leading candidate for the Most Improved Player award and could receive All-NBA consideration after the Hawks’ late-season surge.
Chet Holmgren: The 23-year-old would be a favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year award in a normal season that doesn’t include Victor Wembanyama. Alas, Holmgren may need to settle for a spot on the DPOY ballot, a first-team All-Defensive selection and, possibly, an All-NBA honor.
Rudy Gobert: A league-record fifth Defensive Player of the Year award is likely out of the question if Wembanyama crosses the 65-game threshold, but Gobert has been as good as ever on that end and will surely make an All-Defensive team. He could even sneak onto the All-NBA Third Team.
Kon Knueppel: While the Rookie of the Year award is exempt from the 65-game requirement, Knueppel’s shooting and consistency have been essential enough to an emerging Charlotte Hornets team to at least merit an All-NBA look. The 20-year-old leads the entire NBA (as in, not just rookies) in 3-pointers made and has already shattered the franchise and NBA rookie records in that category. (Note: Similar logic applies to Dallas’ Cooper Flagg, but as we’ll note below, he has not quite passed the 65-game threshold based on the letter of that law.)
Other notable all-NBA players: Alperen Şengün, Desmond Bane, Brandon Ingram, Karl-Anthony Towns, LaMelo Ball, De’Aaron Fox, James Harden, Paolo Banchero.
Others eligible for All-Defensive: Amen Thompson, Cason Wallace, Derrick White, Dyson Daniels, Jaden McDaniels, Bam Adebayo, Davion Mitchell, Stephon Castle, Toumani Camara, Donte DiVincenzo
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Other eligible Most Improved candidates: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Neemias Queta, Collin Gillespie, Ryan Rollins, Naji Marshall, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The curious case of Luka Dončić
The Lakers’ star was making a late push for MVP when he injured his hamstring last week in his 64th game of the season. While there is a clause that allows players to retain award eligibility if they suffer a season-ending injury after their 62nd game, it’s unlikely that will apply to Dončić if he continues to try to return at some point in the playoffs.
The more likely avenue for Dončić to maintain his award eligibility is through a little-known clause known as the “Extraordinary Circumstance Challenge,” which allows players to petition for eligibility if “it was impracticable for him to play in one or more of the Regular Season game(s) that he missed during such Season.” Dončić plans to file a grievance because he missed two games in December to return to Slovenia for the birth of his second daughter. Wipe those two games away, and Dončić would have played in more than 85.7 percent of the Lakers’ games this season, thus clearing the 65-game threshold in spirit.
According to the rule, Dončić and the Lakers must submit their claim within 24 hours of the end of the season, at which point a “challenge expert,” chosen jointly by the league and union, can rule on the case. It’s only after that happens that voters are able to submit their official ballots for postseason awards.
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Tracking to be eligible
These players have a chance to be eligible based on the NBA’s criteria but have not yet reached the 65-game threshold.
Nikola Jokić: The three-time MVP has at times been slightly below his monstrous standards since returning from a knee injury that cost him 16 games in the middle of the season. But as his latest masterpiece against the guy just below him on this list shows, Jokić should never be counted out of any MVP race — assuming he plays at least 20 minutes in two of Denver’s final three games.
Victor Wembanyama: Wembanyama needs to play at least 20 minutes in two of the Spurs’ final three games, which is in some doubt after he left Monday’s game against the 76ers with a rib contusion. He managed to play 16 minutes before departing, thus using up his second “near-miss” game. It’s a near certainty that Wemby will win the Defensive Player of the Year if he is eligible. He might also win MVP, though he will end up playing far fewer minutes than the other top candidates on account of the Spurs managing his workload earlier in the season. At a minimum, his play in leading the Spurs to a 60-win season — and his words in defense of his unparalleled impact — have made a great case.
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Kawhi Leonard: How’s this for a twist: The face of NBA load management over the past decade will end up playing enough to qualify for postseason awards if he suits up in three of the LA Clippers’ final four games. Amid a strange Clippers season and an ongoing investigation into cap-circumvention allegations, the 34-year-old Leonard has put together arguably his finest season as a Clippers player. While MVP consideration is unlikely, he should make All-NBA if he is eligible.
Jalen Duren: While the Detroit Pistons’ rising big man has suited up in more than 65 games this season, four of those games do not count because he logged fewer than 15 minutes. He’s also already used up his two “near-miss” exceptions. That means he still must play at least 20 minutes in one of Detroit’s final three games to maintain his chances at All-NBA. Expect Duren to be motivated to get there; he’s a restricted free agent this summer and can become eligible for a maximum contract for up to 30 percent of the salary cap (rather than the usual 25 percent) if he makes All-NBA.
Cooper Flagg: The teenage sensation does not need 65 games to be in the Rookie of the Year race but will need to play one more to maintain his (admittedly slim) chances of All-NBA because he logged fewer than 15 minutes in a game this season.
Deni Avdija: While others like Cade Cunningham and Luka Dončić are receiving the sob stories for just missing the 65-game threshold, Avdija may be the best example of its arbitrary nature. The 25-year-old Israeli has gone from forgotten Washington Wizards role player to the offensive engine of the postseason-bound Trail Blazers, averaging nearly seven more points per game than last season while taking on a massive offensive load with the injuries to guards like Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Beyond being one of the stories of the season, Avdija is arguably the Most Improved Player favorite and a legitimate All-NBA candidate. Instead, Avdija is at risk of missing out on postseason honors entirely because of a midseason back injury that cost him 16 full games, forced him to leave immediately from a 17th and continues to bug him down the stretch of the season. The game he left immediately counts as a missed game for award purposes, so Avdija needs to play at least 20 minutes in all three of the Blazers’ remaining games to get to 65. It’d be a shame if he can’t.
Evan Mobley: The Cavaliers’ big man, who has seen his minutes managed due to several injuries this season, can cross the 65-game threshold for awards purposes if he plays in two of Cleveland’s final three games. (He’s been above 20 minutes in all but one of his previous games, so he still has room to play between 15-20 minutes once down the stretch.)
Other notable players:
- OG Anunoby needs to play one more game to be eligible for All-Defensive teams, as he logged just five minutes in a game earlier this season.
- Draymond Green must play at least 20 minutes in the rest of the Warriors’ four games; he’s already logged fewer than 15 minutes three times and has used up his two “near-miss” games.
- Lu Dort is in the same position in the Thunder’s final four games. While he’s appeared in more than 65 games overall, one was for less than 15 minutes, and five were for between 15 and 20 minutes.
- Ausar Thompson is an interesting case. On merit, the Pistons’ forward would earn heavy All-Defensive Team consideration. But while he’s at 70 games after Monday’s action, only 61 of those count for the award because of the 20-minute rule.
Ineligible
These players cannot earn any postseason awards.
Cade Cunningham: The face of the Pistons’ remarkable turnaround and a potential MVP candidate, Cunningham suffered a punctured lung in his 61st game and will not return until the middle of this week at the earliest. The injury occurred one game short of the season-ending injury exception, though that would not have applied to Cunningham since he plans to return in the postseason. His situation prompted the NBA Players Association to release a statement calling 65 games an “arbitrary and overly rigid quota” that should be “abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries.” It’s unclear if Cunningham will apply for the same “Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge” exception as Dončić.
Anthony Edwards: The 24-year-old Timberwolves star was having his finest season before sitting out for right knee soreness in mid-March. He returned with eight games left in Minnesota’s season, which was exactly the number of games he needed to play to reach 65 games. However, Edwards suffered an illness and had to miss the Timberwolves’ April 2 contest, thereby ending any chance he could reach the threshold.
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Devin Booker: Booker’s situation is another victimized by the “65” part of the rule. The Suns’ star should at least earn All-NBA consideration for helping lead the team’s unexpected turnaround, even if he’s had better statistical seasons. But while Booker has played in 62 games as of Monday, only 60 of those count because he left after logging fewer than 10 minutes twice. The Suns have only four games left in the regular season, so the most Booker could play using the rule’s criteria is 64 games. Perhaps he, too, will apply for an exception.
LeBron James: James missed his 18th game of the season in early February, thereby ending a run of 21 consecutive All-NBA selections. (Ironically, he would have been disqualified in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 had the rule been in place those years.)
Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton: These past All-NBA honorees fell well short of the 65-game threshold, with Haliburton (Achilles) not playing at all this season.
Zion Williamson: Almost! Seriously! Yes, the perpetually injured New Orleans Pelicans star, whose history is so checkered that he has games-played thresholds to reach to guarantee years of his contract, was this close to playing in the necessary 65 games to receive award eligibility. Though Williamson is at 62 games as of Monday with four Pelicans games left in the regular season, two of those contests don’t count because he logged fewer than 15 minutes. It’s unlikely he would’ve received much All-NBA consideration anyway, but how cruel is it that he came so close?
Other notable ineligible players:
- Fringe All-NBA candidates if they played enough games: Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Norm Powell, Dillon Brooks, Josh Giddey, Paul George, Tyler Herro, Jaren Jackson Jr., Domantas Sabonis, Michael Porter Jr., Jimmy Butler, Jarrett Allen, Lauri Markkanen
- No All-Defensive for these guys: Isaiah Stewart, Alex Caruso, Marcus Smart, Jalen Suggs, Herb Jones, Tari Eason, Jrue Holiday, Aaron Gordon
- Ineligible for Most Improved: Austin Reaves, Ajay Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Keyonte George
- One more unfortunate casualty of the rule: Moussa Diabaté. While the 27-year-old Hornets rebounding demon has played in 70 games, he’s played fewer than 20 minutes a whopping 14 times. Of course, a dozen of those were before Jan. 1, when the Hornets really started to take off and Diabaté locked down the starting center position. Shouldn’t in-season improvement be well within the spirit of the Most Improved Player award?