In what comes as massive news ahead of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham are now eligible for all the NBA honors, including Most Valuable Player and All-NBA nods.
The decision was ruled in favor of the injured Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons stars, respectively by the NBA and the NBPA. This saw a flurry of takes on social media.
NBA World Weighs In On NBA Making Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham Eligible for Postseason Awards
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), NBA insider Shams Charania wrote, “Just in: The NBA and NBPA have ruled in favor of Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Pistons’ Cade Cunningham on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge for the 65-game award rule, making both eligible for all 2025-26 season honors such as MVP and All-NBA teams, sources tell ESPN.”
Just in: The NBA and NBPA have ruled in favor of Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Pistons’ Cade Cunningham on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge for the 65-game award rule, making both eligible for all 2025-26 season honors such as MVP and All-NBA teams, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gUYdUn1q4k
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 16, 2026
This saw the NBA world respond in real quick time. YouTuber and podcaster Kenny Beecham responded with a crisp W. Lakers content handle, Lakers All Day Everyday, believed LeBron James had something to do with the decision. “LeBron made the call,” the post read.
LeBron made the call 😭 https://t.co/EBOuUvt8tn
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) April 16, 2026
Sixers insider Sean Barnard added, “The 65-game rule was stupid from the start. But a rule is also a rule. I find this extremely lame on the NBA’s part, and don’t think the league would be making the same exception for every player.” In the same vein, some believed the exception made for the two stars was unfair to another established name in Joel Embiid.
The 65 game rule was stupid from the start. But a rule is also a rule
I find this extremely lame on the NBA’s part and don’t think the league would be making the same exception for every player https://t.co/teG9IawQTx pic.twitter.com/0rrB7H3EsE
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) April 16, 2026
YouTuber IcyVert echoed Barnard’s sentiment. “Listen, I have no issues with this but I could get really petty about this if I wanted,” the tweet read. Boston Celtics analyst Justin Turpin commented with an amazed “Wow”.
Listen I have no issues with this but I could get really petty about this if I wanted https://t.co/XTngcSdFfu
— IcyVert (@IcyVert) April 16, 2026
Pistons podcaster Ku Khalil posted: “I am absolutely shocked, but happy as hell for Cade. Adam Silver sounded like he was not even considering this, the last time they asked him about this.”
I am absolutely shocked, but happy as hell for Cade.
Adam Silver sounded like he was not even considering this last time they asked him about this. https://t.co/1ob2I27zyY
— Ku (@KuKhahil) April 16, 2026
The parties ruled in favor of the star guards’ appeal against the NBA’s 65-game criteria, which says a player must lace up for at least 65 regular-season games to be considered for the honors. According to previous reports, Dončić and Cunningham used the ‘Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge’ to push back against the league rule.
Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung in the final stretch of the regular season, ending with 64 games and averaging 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 9.9 assists as the Pistons finished as the top seed in the East. Dončić suffered a Grade 2 hamstring injury and missed the final few games for the Lakers.
However, the Slovenian averaged a league-high 33.5 points, along with 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 64 games. With both players in the running for NBA MVP, they decided to appeal against the rule after falling short of the criteria by one game. On the postseason front, the Pistons will have Cunningham’s services, while Dončić is expected to miss the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets.
