Cade Cunningham Headlines Players Hindered By 65-Game Rule

Right now, there are two big topics in the NBA. One is that the league has continued to charge ahead in their efforts to expand to 32 teams, adding franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle. The second is NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s installation of the increasingly unpopular 65-game rule, with Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham now a potential victim of the draconian measures. Despite leading the once woebegone franchise to the top of the Eastern Conference ladder, four games (courtesy of a collapsed lung) could prevent him from claiming well-earned end-of-season awards.

Of course, the Pistons’ motor isn’t the only player that’s been affected by the rule.

With the exception of Cunningham, these are players who have been available for at least 45 games but who have played no more than 55 games to this point of the season. As most teams have just around a dozen games remaining on their schedule, their margin for injury is as slim as it can be. Or, worse, the door has already closed.

Most Valuable Player candidates

• Cade Cunningham (61 games)
• Victor Wembanyama (55 games)
• Nikola Jokic (54 games)

A bevy of viable MVP candidates are still considered legitimately worthy of winning the NBA’s most esteemed individual award. Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown is starting to be eclipsed by Jayson Tatum‘s return and star power, but what he’s done without Tatum won’t soon be forgotten. Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is on a scoring run that’s driven the team’s eight-game winning streak.

Still, there’s no doubt that multiple players who could potentially lead the race are being penalized too highly for making pit stops. As previously mentioned, Cunningham has fueled his team’s turnaround, Detroit leading the East for most of the season. Though 52-18 overall, San Antonio Spurs are 10-5 without center Victor Wembanyama this season, but he’s arguably been the most dominant two-way player in the league. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been as marvelous as a three-time MVP can be, though his team is sixth in the West.

Defensive Player of the Year candidates

• Victor Wembanyama (55 games)
• Isaiah Stewart (55 games)
• Evan Mobley (55 games)

Averaging 24.3 points per game this season, Wembanyama’s offensive game certainly isn’t run of the mill. Yet, his defense —namely his bait-blocking— have arguably stood out the most in 2025-26. Pistons second unit center Isaiah Stewart may not be everyone’s pick for DPOY, but his rim-protection and his in-built intimidation factor help him stand out. As does Detroit record and status a top-three defense in the league. Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley hasn’t been discussed much, but he’s the reigning Defensive Player of the Year for a reason.

Most Improved Player candidates

• Deni Avdija (54 games)
• Michael Porter Jr. (52 games)
• Jordan Miller (49 games)

All things considered, Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija has risen above circumstance so far as his station in the league. At one point, the former top-10 pick was heading towards relative irrelevancy. Now, he’s a (somewhat) freshly-minted first-time All-Star. Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. was once the third and sometimes fourth option on the Denver Nuggets. Though their modes of scoring have stark contrasts has also been the No. 1 option for his team. Los Angeles Clippers wing Jordan Miller is a late-addition dark horse but he’s excelled during his team’s turaround, to the point he got a new contract.

All-NBA Team candidates

• LeBron James (49 games)
• Cade Cunningham (61 games)
• Victor Wembanyama (55 games)
• Nikola Jokic (55 games)
• Kawhi Leonard (54 games)
• Deni Avdija (54 games)
• Michael Porter Jr. (52 games)

Averaging 21.3 points, 6.9 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 stocks per game in his 40s, Los Angeles Lakers gigastar LeBron James has no chance of making an All-NBA Team this season. Let’s leave it at that.

So far as Cunningham, Wembanyama and Jokic, no player that would have been a mainstream candidate for MVP should be left off the roster. Through all the adversity, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has quietly kept his team in contention. No Paul George. No Norman Powell. And now, no James Harden. Avdija and Porter Jr. are long shots more than the others, but featured scorers are seemingly favored by voters.

All-Defensive Team candidates

• Victor Wembanyama (55 games)
• Isaiah Stewart (55 games)
• Evan Mobley (55 games)
• Cade Cunningham (61 games)
• Kawhi Leonard (54 games)
• Alex Sarr (49 games)
• Bilal Coulibaly (47 games)

Not to be redundant, but seriously. If Wembanyama and Mobley are universal Defensive Player of the Year candidates, they should be on an All-Defensive Team. With that being said, even if Stewart isn’t seen as a likely DPOY award winner, he should at least be in consideration for a spot on an All-Defensive Team.

Cunningham defense is no longer overlooked, and he’s been terrific when asked to guard his yard. As per usual, Leonard is a defensive disruptor at the point-of-attack, even clawing away 2.0 steals per game (third in the NBA). Washington Wizards big man Alex Sarr, who’s averaging 2.0 blocks per game (second in the NBA), continues to excel as a mobile switch defender. Bilal Coulibaly also plays for the oft-overlooked Wizards, which may hamper his case. Nonetheless, he’s been among the league’s top defenders since being drafted in 2023.