NBA MVP Eligibility: Dončić and Cunningham Granted Exceptions as Embiid Denied

Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham have been ruled eligible for all 2025-26 NBA annual awards, including MVP and All-NBA teams, after the NBA and NBPA agreed to waive the 65-game minimum requirement under the Collective Bargaining Agreement’s extraordinary circumstances provision.

The decision, announced on April 16, 2026, follows successful appeals by both players who fell short of the standard game threshold due to verified personal and medical circumstances. Dončić played in 64 qualified games but missed two games in December to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia. Cunningham appeared in 63 qualified games after missing 12 games due to a collapsed lung diagnosed on March 17, which required him to sit out for the remainder of the season following his early exit in a game against the Washington Wizards.

The NBA and NBPA stated in a joint release that, after evaluating the totality of the circumstances for each player, they determined both qualified for awards under the CBA’s extraordinary circumstances clause. This provision allows players to petition for award eligibility when they fail to meet the 65-game minimum due to unforeseen or exceptional situations beyond their control.

In contrast, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves had his challenge for award eligibility denied by an independent arbitrator. Edwards played in 60 qualified games, falling short of the threshold, and his appeal was not upheld, rendering him ineligible for postseason honors such as All-NBA or MVP consideration for the 2025-26 season.

Despite not being expected to win the MVP award, both Dončić and Cunningham are projected to finish in the top five of the voting, a result that carries historical significance for their careers. Dončić, a Los Angeles Lakers guard, is pursuing his sixth All-NBA First Team selection in eight seasons, while Cunningham, a Detroit Pistons guard, aims to earn his first All-NBA team honor.

The resolution of these appeals ensures that the All-NBA teams and other end-of-season awards will reflect a more accurate representation of player performance during the 2025-26 campaign, particularly for those whose seasons were impacted by legitimate, documented circumstances.