Luka Doncic eligible for NBA's postseason awards after league, NBAPA rule in his favor

TL;DR

Luka Doncic is now eligible for NBA postseason awards after the league and NBAPA ruled in his favor regarding the 65-game rule. He played 64 games before a hamstring injury ended his regular season.

Key points

Luka Doncic played 64 games before a hamstring injury.
NBA requires 65 games for postseason award eligibility.
Doncic's appeal was based on extraordinary circumstances.
Cade Cunningham also won an appeal under the same provision.
Doncic is a leading candidate for MVP and All-NBA team.

Luka DoncicCade CunninghamDetroit PistonsCleveland Cavaliers

Los Angeles, CA - March 31: Lakers guard Luka Doncic, #77 celebrates his dunkl on a fast break against the Cavaliers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Doncic became the third-youngest player in NBA history to score 15,000 career points. The Lakers clinched a playoff berth before their win over Cleveland. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Luka Doncic celebrates a dunk on a fast break against the Cleveland Cavaliers during a game on March 31. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Luka Doncic will be eligible for postseason awards after the NBA and NBA Players Association announced Thursday they ruled in his favor on his extraordinary circumstances appeal of the 65-game rule.

Doncic, a leading candidate for most valuable player and a lock for his sixth All-NBA team, played in only 64 games before he suffered a regular-season ending left hamstring injury on April 2. The league's latest collective bargaining agreement requires players to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards, but Doncic and Detroit Pistons star both won appeals under the CBA’s extraordinary circumstances provision.

Q&A

Why was Luka Doncic's eligibility for postseason awards in question?

Doncic's eligibility was in question because the NBA's collective bargaining agreement requires players to appear in at least 65 games, and he played only 64 due to injury.

What extraordinary circumstances allowed Doncic to appeal the 65-game rule?

Doncic missed two games to attend the birth of his daughter, which was considered an extraordinary circumstance that allowed him to appeal the 65-game requirement.

Who else won an appeal under the NBA's extraordinary circumstances provision?

Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons also won an appeal under the same provision after missing 12 games due to a collapsed lung.