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Gilbert Arenas is glad the NBA was lenient with Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham
TL;DR
Gilbert Arenas appreciates the NBA's leniency towards Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham regarding the 65-game award rule. Both players faced significant injuries but were allowed eligibility for awards due to their performances.
Key points
- Gilbert Arenas supports leniency for Doncic and Cunningham
- The 65-game award rule affects player eligibility
- Injuries impacted both players' ability to meet the game limit
Luka DoncicCade CunninghamLos Angeles LakersDetroit Pistons
Gilbert Arenas is glad the NBA was lenient with Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 65-game award rule has been monumental for the past few seasons, but it has been most apparent this season. Many of the league's best players suffered major injuries that led them to miss games, taking them out of the 65-game limit.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic and Detroit Pistons cornerstone Cade Cunningham were the two players most affected by the rule. Thankfully, the NBA has allowed them to be eligible due to their respective challenges.
Gilbert Arenas likes Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham's award eligibility
It would have been a shame if superstars like Doncic and Cunningham lost a chance at being rewarded for their efforts. They were both excellent in the 2025-26 season, individually and in how they led their teams.
The Lakers finished the season as the fourth seed, but they would not have been anywhere close to that if Doncic had not played. The same could be said about the Pistons because Cunningham was the player who led them to the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.
MORE:Why Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham are eligible, and Anthony Edwards is not
Q&A
Why did Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham need leniency from the NBA?
Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham were affected by the 65-game award rule due to injuries that caused them to miss games, impacting their eligibility for awards.
What is the significance of the 65-game award rule in the NBA?
The 65-game award rule requires players to participate in at least 65 games to be eligible for certain awards, which has become particularly relevant this season due to injuries among top players.
How did Gilbert Arenas react to the NBA's decision on Doncic and Cunningham?
Gilbert Arenas expressed gladness that the NBA was lenient with Doncic and Cunningham, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their efforts despite injury challenges.