Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic to challenge NBA rule in order to qualify for awards under rare exception

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Apr 3, 2026 6:38 PM ET

The 65-game rule for NBA players to receive an award now could impact Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic.

Doncic exited Thursday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a hamstring injury, and he is out indefinitely.

Doncic has played in 64 games this season, and he is one game shy of meeting the 65-game minimum requirement. However, there is one exception Doncic could apply for that would make him eligible for an award, as Tim Bontemps reported on Friday.

“There is at least a path where [Luka Doncic] could be eligible to be on MVP ballots,” Bontemps said on SportsCenter. “There is one way he could potentially be eligible, and that is by filing an extraordinary circumstances grievance on the fact that he missed two games back in December for the birth of his child.”

"There is at least a path where [Luka Doncic] could be eligible to be on MVP ballots."@TimBontemps says Luka Doncic can still be eligible for MVP by filing an extraordinary circumstances grievance, regardless of the NBA's 65-game rule. pic.twitter.com/JWU7VJlXNB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 3, 2026

After news emerged that Doncic will miss the rest of the season, his agent Billy Duffy confirmed he will "apply for an 'Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge' to the 65-game rule."

Statement from Luka Doncic’s agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball: "This season, Luka Dončić has performed at a historic level, leading the league in scoring, carrying the Lakers to third place in the Western Conference and placing himself in the middle of one of the most tightly… https://t.co/bKVOmzheDE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 3, 2026

"Luka missed two games this season for the birth of his second child in Slovenia. His daughter was born on Dec. 4 on another continent, and yet he was back in the United States competing with his team on Dec. 6. Luka has gone to great lengths to show up for his team and this league this season," Duffy said in a statement.

The 65-game rule has been a hot topic of discussion. Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham, who has played 61 games this season, is likely out for the rest of the regular season due to a collapsed lung.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is close to playing in 59 games with six remaining, so he could also miss out due to the rule.

Despite the criticism, NBA commissioner Adam Silver insisted the rule is working, although it could be something they try to change in the offseason.

Doncic is averaging an NBA-high 33.5 points, with 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds, and he has been flying up the NBA MVP ladder with his recent play.

For Doncic, at least, there seems to be a path he could take if he wants to, assuming he does sit out the remainder of the regular season due to the hamstring injury.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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