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Adam Silver addresses complaints about the NBA’s 65-game rule

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Mar 25, 2026 4:56 PM ET

NBA commissioner Adam Silver responded to the growing complaints about star players being potentially deprived of awards consideration because of the league’s controversial 65-game rule.

Players must appear in at least 65 regular season games to be considered for end-of-season awards, including MVP and All-NBA status. The rule was introduced to try to minimize load management, but has drawn criticism from players for depriving legitimately injured players the opportunity to earn deserved honors.

On Wednesday, Silver maintained the rule is working as intended, even through “there is a sense of unfairness for one player.”

Adam Silver on the NBA's 65-game rule for awards amid the NBPA's statement on Cade Cunningham:

"I'm not ready to say it's not working. It is working… I'm not ready to say because there is a sense of unfairness for one player, that the rule doesn't work."
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) March 25, 2026

The player Silver is referring to is Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham, who suffered a collapsed lung with 61 games played. It is unclear whether he will be able to return before the end of the regular season, and if he cannot, he would not be eligible for any end-of-season honors. The NBPA cited Cunningham’s situation in calling for the rule to be abolished.

Cunningham is almost certain to receive All-NBA consideration if eligible, and has even been viewed as an MVP candidate. He is also dealing with a legitimate injury. The rule may rob him of deserved recognition, but Silver thinks it is a price worth paying to keep stars from being rested too much.

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

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