The NBA has introduced a new player participation policy for the 2023-24 season in an effort to address load management concerns and underscore the league’s dedication to maintaining an 82-game season, as outlined by Commissioner Adam Silver. The primary goal is to ensure that healthy players actively partake in games.
A significant aspect of the updated regulations specifies that players must engage in a minimum of 65 games to qualify for major awards. Additionally, for a game to contribute towards eligibility, a player must have played at least 20 minutes.
These awards encompass prestigious titles such as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, All-NBA Team, and All-Defensive Team.
As the season reaches its midpoint, a scrutiny of the eligibility status of several star players reveals the impact of missed games on their chances for these coveted accolades.
Kyrie Irving, representing the Mavericks, faces ineligibility due to a foot injury that sidelined him for the majority of December, followed by subsequent thumb issues. Bradley Beal, a key player for the Suns, is grappling with ineligibility owing to various injuries, including a back problem and a sprained ankle.
Despite an impressive start to the season, LaMelo Ball of the Hornets is also ineligible due to an ankle injury that led to him missing 20 games. Ja Morant of the Grizzlies faces ineligibility due to a combination of season-ending shoulder surgery and a suspension at the beginning of the season.
Jimmy Butler of the Heat, absent for 15 out of 17 games, is impacting his chances for All-NBA selection. Similarly, Kristaps Porzingis of the Celtics has missed 14 out of 17 games, making it improbable for him to be part of All-Defensive discussions.
Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers, the NBA’s assist leader, has missed 13 games due to a hamstring strain and has voiced criticism against the 65-game rule. Joel Embiid of the Sixers, although a frontrunner for MVP, is encountering obstacles in reaching the required 65 games due to lower-body issues.
Bam Adebayo of the Heat, Devin Booker of the Suns, Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers, and Kevin Durant of the Suns have also missed games, impacting their eligibility for various awards.
