Cade Cunningham’s collapsed lung could make him ineligible for end-of-season awards. The NBA world reacted strongly to this news, speaking out against the 65-game rule.
Why the NBA World Is Calling for a 65-Game Rule Change After Cade Cunningham’s Injury
ESPN’s Shams Charania announced Detroit Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham was diagnosed with a collapsed lung. The injury likely occurred when Cunningham dove for a loose ball against the Washington Wizards and collided with Tre Johnson on March 17.
Charania reported the MVP candidate will miss “an extended period of time,” but the Pistons do not have an exact recovery timetable. Cunningham averages 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals this season. He leads the Pistons as they sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 49-19 record.
However, he has played 61 games. With only 14 regular-season games left, his injury could certainly make him ineligible for All-NBA and other honors, despite his excellent 2025-26 campaign.
The 65-game minimum was intended to discourage players from engaging in load management. However, it could end up disqualifying a potential All-NBA First Team and MVP candidate in Cunningham.
Other MVP hopefuls like Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Dončić also sit dangerously close to 65 games. Cunningham’s situation prompted the NBA world to speak out against the 65-contest minimum.
Former NBA veteran Chandler Parsons stood firm on his opinion of Cunningham’s magnificent season.
“Cade Cunningham should be 1st Team All-NBA, and I don’t care if that’s 61, 71, or 51 games. He has done enough to be first-team All-NBA already today … Overide [the rule],” said Parsons confidently.
“Cade Cunningham should be 1st Team All-NBA and I don’t care if that’s 61, 71, or 51 games.” ‼️@ChandlerParsons says Cade’s collapsed lung shows the flaws of the NBA’s 65-game rule 🗣️@MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/xDF0A55n1C
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 19, 2026
Jonathan Macri, host of the “NBA Takedown” podcast, believes the league should “go back to the drawing board” if Cunningham fails to reach 65 games.
“I know this isn’t anyone’s concern right now, but if Cade misses the cutoff and fails to qualify for All-NBA, it would be a clear sign that they need to go back to the drawing board on those rules. There is no universe where Cunningham shouldn’t be on an All-NBA team this season,” Macri stated.
I know this isn’t anyone’s concern right now, but if Cade misses the cutoff and fails to qualify for All-NBA, it would be a clear sign that they need to go back to the drawing board on those rules. There is no universe where Cunningham shouldn’t be on an All-NBA team this season. https://t.co/kJyqwvJlQo
— Jonathan Macri (@JCMacriNBA) March 19, 2026
@iam_johnw explained the perilous situation for Cunningham’s award eligibility.
“Cade Cunningham is less than 5 games from being eligible for NBA awards .. this is why the rule is so dumb. Cade carried the pistons all year and should be on first team All-NBA.”
Cade Cunningham is less than 5 games from being eligible for nba awards .. this is why the rule is so dumb . Cade carried the pistons all year and should be on first team all nba https://t.co/palVpSPeQp
— John (@iam_johnw) March 19, 2026
Reporter Ryan Wolstat put it bluntly. “The rule needs to be changed. He’s had an All-NBA season again and would have been on plenty of MVP ballots.”
The rule needs to be changed. He’s had an All NBA season again and would have been on plenty of MVP ballots. https://t.co/AVkbewbPuV
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) March 19, 2026
Cunningham’s situation forced Molly Morrison of Bleacher Report to rethink her stance on the rule.
“I have not spoken on the 65 game rule because I’m ultimately not super passionate about it, but this Cade situation is the first thing that’s really pushed me over the edge. He’s had an all-NBA season and absolutely shouldn’t be penalized for a collapsed lung with 14 games left,” she expressed.
i have not spoken on the 65 game rule because i’m ultimately not super passionate about it, but this cade situation is the first thing that’s really pushed me over the edge. he’s had an all-NBA season and absolutely shouldn’t be penalized for a collapsed lung with 14 games left.
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) March 19, 2026
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons called out commissioner Adam Silver.
“If Silver announced today that he’s changing the MVP/All-NBA minimum from 65 to 62 (20 games missed max), would anyone object? Just admit you made the number too high and fix it on the fly. Cade missing out on All-NBA would be outrageous,” he said.
Cunningham deserves to be rewarded for the season he and the Pistons have put together. Now, Detroit must wait to see if its two-time All-Star recovers before the postseason.
