Anthony Edwards’ eligibility for the NBA’s end-of-season awards was a major talking point down the final stretch of the 2025-26 regular season, as he fell short of the 65-game requirement (and didn’t receive an “Extraordinary Circumstances” exemption, unlike Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić and Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham).
However, Edwards was just named a finalist for one specific NBA award: Clutch Player of the Year. How is that possible?
Understanding How Anthony Edwards Is Eligible for Clutch Player of the Year
Despite only playing 64 games this season, the NBA ruled that both Dončić and Cunningham were eligible for the league’s end-of-season awards. Edwards also submitted a grievance after playing 61 games due to injury issues, but the league didn’t rule in his favor.
As a result, Edwards was ruled ineligible and was left off the ballot for Most Valuable Player, All-NBA teams, and other awards. However, he could still earn some hardware to recognize his stellar play in 2025-26.
Edwards was announced as one of three finalists for the Clutch Player of the Year award alongside Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray. This initially created some confusion online, but this is because the 65-game rule only applies to certain awards.
Specifically, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, All-NBA, and All-Defensive teams are the only honors that require a player to have played 65 games. The others (Clutch Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and All-Rookie honors) do not have the same prerequisite.
In fact, the finalists for Clutch Player of the Year are determined differently than other awards, as they are nominated by the league’s coaches.
How is Anthony Edwards a finalist for the Clutch Player of the Year award, but he isn’t eligible for All-NBA?
The 65-game rule only applies to MVP, All-NBA, DPOY, All-Defense, and Most Improved Player. It doesn’t apply to Clutch Player, Sixth Man, ROY, or All-Rookie Honors. https://t.co/F4bT27BCwC
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) April 19, 2026
What makes Edwards’ situation more interesting is the fact that he submitted an appeal to become eligible. That appeal went to an arbitrator, who denied his case. Meanwhile, Dončić’s and Cunningham’s cases were approved and didn’t have to go to arbitration. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch expressed his frustration over this decision.
“It sure would be nice to hear an explanation as to why Anthony was denied his 65 games, particularly when you look at the history of Anthony, who plays all the time and has played all the time,” Finch said. “I’m not sure why we have a rule if we can have an appeals process that is overturned in two-thirds of cases that were held before it. It feels more like a suggestion than a rule.”
Finch made sure not to diminish the other candidates.
“Again, those guys are super deserving and their injuries are legitimate,” Finch explained. “It has nothing to do with them, but so are Anthony’s and Anthony’s situation. We’ve never rested him. That’s now how he’s been. It just feels a little unfortunate that has was the only one left out.”
Dončić missed two straight games on December 4 and 5 after going home to Slovenia for the birth of his daughter. Cunningham missed a significant portion of the season after suffering a collapsed lung on March 17 against the Washington Wizards.
The 65-game rule has already been extremely controversial, and the NBPA is expected to push for changes this offseason.
