Every NBA Star at Risk of Missing Out on End-of-Season Awards Due to NBA Rule

The NBA season is nearing the halfway point. It's a perfect time to take a look at which stars are in danger of missing out on major awards because they aren't going to meet the league's eligibility requirements.

The league added minimum games played requirements ahead of the 2023-2024 season as part of their overall effort to prevent so much load management. Unfortunately, that hasn't done anything to help keep players healthy. Here's a look at the eligibility status of a number of big names as we head into the back half of the season.

NBA Award Eligibility Rules

The new rules, which took affect ahead of the 2023-2024 season, say that players must play in at least 65 regular season games to be eligible for major awards such as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player as well as the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.

In order for a game to count towards the total, the player must play 20 minutes, though they can leave up to two games after 15 minutes if they're injured and those games will still count. This is to prevent players from starting a game and then immediately checking out of the game which some guys have done in the past for incentives or to keep streaks going.

A player will also remain eligible if he plays at least 62 regular season games and 85% of the team's games before suffering a season-ending injury.

[This article was updated on Feb. 11.]

Nikola Jokic

A three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic has never played fewer than 69 games in a season. That streak is in danger this year after he suffered a hyperextended knee at the end of December. Jokic had played in all 32 of the Nuggets' first 32 games this season, but is now out for an extended period of time.

As of Feb. 11, Jokic has now missed 16 games. With a game delayed becuase of the weather he returned to the lineup just in time and has played in six straight games.

Luka Dončić

The NBA's leading scorer sat out seven of the Lakers' first 38 games and is now up to 11 games missed. He can still miss six more games this season.

Tyrese Maxey

Maxey's counting stats have continued to rise in his sixth season. Last year he missed 30 games, but through the 76ers first 52 games this season he's only missed two. Maxey is in good shape to be eligible for an All-NBA spot as he heads into the second half of the season.

Jaylen Brown

With Jayson Tatum out, Jaylen Brown has been asked to carry a heavy load this season and so far his body has held up. He missed just five games before the All-Star break.

Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards missed his 10th game of the season on Jan. 26 when he sat out for foot injury maintenance. He's day-to-day that foot injury and can miss seven of the Timberwolves' 35 games to remain eligible.

Stephen Curry

The two-time MVP has missed 15 of the Warriors' first 55 games and missed the last five before the All-Star break.

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard missed 10 straight games in November, but has been on a tear since he got healthy. Leonard, who has only appeared in 65 or more games once since 2017, has missed 13 games through the All-Star break.

Victor Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama was named to the All-Defensive team after playing 71 games as a rookie. Last year he was down to 46 games. This year he's missed 14 of the Spurs' first 54 games, but hasn't sat out since early January.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The reigning MVP is in very good shape for NBA awards season having missed just two of the first 51 games, but did miss the last five before the All-Star break. He's only missed a total of 13 games over the last two seasons.

LeBron James

LeBron James played 70 games and was voted second team All-NBA last season and finished sixth in MVP voting. This year he missed his 18th game of the season right before the All-Star break. He will be ineligible for the All-NBA distinction he's earned 21 times before.

Ja Morant

Ja Morant has missed 33 of the Memphis Grizzlies' first 53 games and is ineligible for postseason awards. He previously earned All-NBA honors in the '21-'22 season before the NBA instituted the eligibility rules. He has played more than 65 games just once in his career and that was during his rookie season.