65 games. That's the minimum amount of games played in a season that a player needs to play to qualify for the NBA's postseason awards. It's shrouded in controversy this year, as it single-handedly could alter the NBA's postseason awards landscape. Big-name stars, including Nikola Jokic, are in jeopardy of missing or have already missed the 65-game cut-off.
Stars like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are already eliminated, having missed 18 games or more with injuries. While others, such as Jokic and Steph Curry, both former MVPs, are dangerously close, having missed 16 games each due to injuries as well. Both stars can only miss one more game.
The rule was implemented in 2023-24 as a way to combat teams from resting their star players late in the season when they travel on the road or appear on national television. The league was trying to keep fans happy who had come specifically to see the out-of-town stars play. Advertisers wanted the stars on the floor, too. More stars, more ratings. Instead, some players sat out for "load management."
The rule also states that the player must play 20 minutes or so a game. They can't just check in and check out to earn a game played. The NBA made it tough if you suffer any kind of long-term injury, as Jokic did this season.
The full list of awards the rule applies to is the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, and the All-NBA and All-Defensive team awards.
The NBA probably didn't see this years problem coming
In most seasons, players get dinged up and bruised and miss a few games. Today's players don't usually play all 82 games in a season. A.C. Green's record of 1,192 games played will likely stand for many years to come, if it ever gets broken.
It's a shame if someone like Jokic doesn't qualify for All-NBA because he played 63 games. He's having his best year yet, and he's already won three MVPs and could have easily had five. It feels like a disservice if he ends up missing two more games for any reason.
Jokic's putting up 28.7 points per game, and he is also leading the NBA in rebounds (12.3) and assists (10.7), something no player has ever done. Plus, he's having the most efficient season of his career, while already the all-time leader in efficiency.
Jokic's getting better. The numbers prove it. And yet, here we are wondering if all those glorious stats will be for naught when the playoffs roll around.
Sure, the championship is everyone's focus first and foremost. And rightfully so.
But the MVP debates help determine GOAT status. And Jokic is certainly in the conversation. Nuggets fans want more MVP's for Jokic to have the best chance on his resume in the debate for greatest of all-time.