NBA Finally Decides Whether Luka Dončić, Cade Cunningham Are Eligible for MVP, Other League Awards

Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham are having a great morning.

On Thursday, the NBA ruled in favor of both guards' appeal against the league's 65-game rule, which stipulates that a player must play at least 65 regular-season games to be eligible for honors, like MVP and All-NBA teams. ESPN's Shams Charania was first to break the news.

Both Cunningham and Dončić pushed back against the rule under an "Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge."

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

Meanwhile, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, who also filed a challenge and saw his case advanced to an independent arbitrator, was denied, per Charania. That means Edwards is not eligible for awards.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 11:48 AM.