The NBA has delivered its verdict on Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham’s case of “extraordinary circumstances challenge,” missing the 65-game criteria for the NBA awards this season. While the Slovenian missed several games due to the birth of his second daughter in December 2025, the Detroit Pistons guard suffered a collapsed lung in the final phase of the regular season.
Edwards, on the other hand, suffered a knee injury and was sidelined for a few games, as the franchise aimed to get him available for the playoffs. However, Anthony Edwards was not granted an exemption, and fans weren’t pleased with the differential treatment.
The league allowed Doncic and Cunningham to be eligible for the NBA awards and All-NBA selections even after missing the 65-game rule. ESPN analyst Shams Charania shared the news on X and wrote:
“Doncic missed 2 games in December due to the birth of his child abroad and Cunningham had a collapsed lung. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards filed a challenge as well and his case was advanced to an independent arbitrator, but was denied and is not eligible for awards, sources said.”
Doncic and Cunningham will remain finalists for the NBA MVP award and other All-NBA first team selections this season. The LA Lakers guard has been the scoring leader in the 2025-26 season, averaging a career-best 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists.
Cunningham, on the other hand, enjoyed an All-Star season, averaging 23.9 points, 9.9 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Fans call out NBA for differential treatment between Luka Doncic-Cade Cunningham and Anthony Edwards
Fans called out the NBA for allowing Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham but denying Edwards eligibility for the end-of-season awards. One fan connected the difference in the league’s decision to a specific factor and wrote:
“Only the darkskin was rejected”
Another user blamed the league for “favoritism” and wrote:
“Luka and Cade get the full pass on that 65-game rule but Ant Edwards straight denied?
This some straight cap favoritism — NBA always bendin’ the rules for the big-name stars while the real dawgs get screwed. Exactly why these awards don’t mean shit no more.”
One more user stated that it was a wrong decision and wrote:
“What a disgusting precedent”
One fan suggested an alternate way and wrote:
“I don’t think anyone disagrees with Luka.. but Cade? He had an injury..
If Cade was given an exception, Ant should have gotten one as well. What they should have done is approved all of them and fixed the rule in the offseason.”
One more user criticized the league for its call and wrote:
“The NBA trying to prevent Ant from being the face of the league is hilarious, they can’t stand him or LaMelo”
The league’s decision will be referred to for every call taken hereafter over the 65-game rule in the NBA awards. It has already received widespread criticism and comments from fans and several NBA analysts, who have demanded the removal of the rule.
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