Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic fell just short of the NBA’s 65-game rule to be eligible for regular-season awards. The Lakers’ superstar only played 64 games because of injuries and personal reasons.
Doncic reportedly appealed to the NBA, joining Cade Cunningham and Anthony Edwards to seek relief from this rule. The NBA accepted Doncic and Cunningham’s request, giving them a waiver to remain eligible for the awards. However, Edwards’ request was rejected.
Doncic missed two regular-season games in December to be with his family during the birth of his daughter in Slovenia. It was deemed an “extraordinary circumstance” under CBA as the NBA cleared the way for Doncic to potentially win his first MVP this season.
As for Cunningham, the Detroit Pistons guard missed 12 games because of a collapsed lung. The reason was also found to be genuine enough for relief.
Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham have both had their eligibility approved for NBA awards despite missing the 65-game minimum. Anthony Edwards also appealed but his appeal was denied, per Shams Charania.
Doncic missed 2 games due to this birth of his child abroad and Cunningham… pic.twitter.com/9RbD5h2lBA
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 16, 2026
Doncic has also welcomed the decision as he wrote the following on his X handle:
“I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision. It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December and I appreciate Mark, Jeanie, Rob, JJ, and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and allowing me to travel to be there. This season has been so special to me because of what my teammates and I have been able to accomplish, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be considered for the league’s end-of-season awards.”
I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision. It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December and I appreciate Mark, Jeanie, Rob, JJ, and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and…
— Luka Doncic (@lukadoncic) April 16, 2026
More: Why Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham are eligible for NBA awards – but not Anthony Edwards
Luka Doncic eyeing first NBA MVP
After the NBA relief, Luka Doncic is back in the NBA MVP race, joining OKC Thunder’s Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic and San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama.
Doncic leads the league in scoring with 33.5 points per game to go along with 7.7 rebounds (22nd), 8.3 assists (3rd) and 1.6 steals per game. He has shot 47.6% from the field, including 36.6% from beyond the arc.
On the other hand, SGA played 68 games, averaging 33.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. The reigning MVP shot 55.3% from the field, including 38.6% from the 3-point range. Three-time MVP Jokic also has a strong case, with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
Statistically, Doncic and Jokic have better cases than SGA, but the reigning MVP’s Thunder finished above both the Lakers and the Nuggets in the regular season standings.
It remains to be seen if the voters will be swayed in Doncic’s favor, given that he has yet to win the award once.
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