Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham will remain in contention for major NBA awards this season after the league and the players’ union approved their “Extraordinary Circumstances” appeals.
Both players appeared in 64 games—just one shy of the 65-game minimum—but were granted exceptions due to unique situations. ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote: “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.”
Both players are now eligible for honors such as MVP and All-NBA selections. Dončić, in particular, is expected to receive strong consideration. Dončić’s absence stemmed from multiple factor — he missed two games in December to attend the birth of his child, later sat out one game due to suspension, and ultimately was sidelined by a hamstring injury that ended his regular season. Despite that, he led the league with 33.5 points per game and delivered one of the most productive offensive seasons in recent memory.
Cunningham’s case centered on a serious medical issue. The Detroit star missed 11 consecutive games after suffering a collapsed lung in March, returning in early April. He still managed to average 23.9 points and 9.9 assists, helping guide the Pistons to a dominant regular season and the top seed in the East.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards 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.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Dončić’s availability remains uncertain. He has not played since early April and is expected to miss at least part of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets, which begins Saturday. The team has yet to provide a clear timeline for his return, adding another challenge as they enter the postseason as significant underdogs.
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