The competition for NBA awards is heating up. But beyond what the league’s brightest stars perform on the court every night, fans (and voters) must also focus on whether these stars are actually, well, in court.
Because of the NBA’s 65-game rule, which requires players to play 65 games in an 82-game season to be eligible for year-end awards, some injured stars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry, are already ineligible for regular-season honors. Additionally, with six weeks (approximately 20 games) left in the season, several other candidates for the prestigious award are at risk of ineligibility. Let’s take a look.
Players at risk of not winning NBA awards
According to the league’s 65-game rule, players who miss games 18 games will no longer be eligible for end-of-season awards.
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Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: Missed 16 games
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Missed a month due to left knee injury
Lauri Markkanen, Jazz: Missed 16 games
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Currently out due to hip injury
Devin Booker, Suns: Missed 15 games
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Currently out with a right hip strain; also out with an ankle sprain
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers: Missed 15 games
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Missed game due to two calf strains
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers: Missed 14 games
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Manage ankle soreness; also missed game with foot/ankle injury
Victor Wembanyama, Tottenham: Missed 14 games
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Missed earlier this season with calf and knee injuries
Luka Doncic, Lakers: Missed 12 games
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Missed four games before All-Star break with left hamstring injury
Deni Avdija, Trail Blazers: Missed 12 games
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Currently out due to back injury
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: Missed 11 games
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Recently missed nine games with an abdominal strain
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: Missed 10 games
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Missed time earlier this season with hamstring and foot injuries
Cooper Flagg, Mavericks: Missed 9 games
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Currently out due to sprained left foot
Players not eligible for NBA awards
These star players will not reach the league’s 65-game year-end bonus threshold this season.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
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Anthony Davis, Mavericks/Wizards
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Trae Young, Hawks/Wizards