LeBron Calls for Rules Change for NBA Awards, ‘Game is Different’ from 1980s-90s

LeBron Calls for Rules Change for NBA Awards, ‘Game is Different’ from 1980s-90s

January 27, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Sports

The 2025-26 NBA Most Valuable Player award race is already facing unusual circumstances as several top contenders are in jeopardy of being ineligible. This is due to the NBA’s recently implemented 65-game participation rule, and LeBron James has publicly called for its removal.

The 65-Game Rule and Its Origins

Prior to the 2023-24 season, the NBA’s board of governors approved a rule requiring players to participate in at least 65 games to be eligible for both individual awards, like MVP, and All-NBA team selections. The rule was intended to address concerns about “load management”—the practice of resting healthy players, particularly stars, for strategic reasons.

Did You Know? In the 2015-16 NBA season, only 13 out of 30 teams averaged at least 100 possessions per game, compared to 29 teams averaging over 100 possessions this season.

A Changing Game

LeBron James, speaking on the Mind the Game podcast, argued that the rule doesn’t account for the evolution of the NBA. He pointed out that the pace of play is significantly faster now than it was in the 1980s and 90s, increasing the physical demands on players.

Injuries and Eligibility

The rule’s unintended consequence is that legitimate injuries can disqualify players from contention. Nikola Jokić, considered an MVP frontrunner before his injury, suffered a hyperextended left knee on December 29th after his teammate Spencer Jones stepped on his foot during a game against the Miami Heat. He has already missed 14 games and is nearing the limit of absences allowed to remain eligible.

Jokić, who was averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists per game at the time of his injury, has been ruled out for at least one more game, putting his eligibility further at risk.

A Growing List of Affected Players

Jokić is not alone. Other prominent MVP and All-NBA candidates facing potential ineligibility due to injury include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, and Joel Embiid. Antetokounmpo, for example, has experienced four calf strains since the start of the 2024-25 season.

Expert Insight: The NBA’s attempt to balance player rest with competitive integrity has created a situation where unforeseen circumstances – like injuries – can significantly alter the landscape of individual awards and potentially diminish the recognition of exceptional performance.

What Could Happen Next?

If a significant number of top players remain ineligible, the NBA could face criticism for the rule’s impact on the perceived legitimacy of the awards. The league may consider adjustments to the rule in the future, potentially incorporating exceptions for injuries or re-evaluating the 65-game threshold. Alternatively, the rule could remain in place, and the MVP award could be decided among a smaller pool of eligible candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted the NBA to implement the 65-game rule?

The rule was approved by the NBA board of governors as a way to address concerns about load management and ensure players participate in a sufficient number of games.

How has Nikola Jokić been affected by the rule?

Nikola Jokić suffered a hyperextended left knee in December and has missed 14 games, putting him at risk of not meeting the 65-game threshold for award eligibility.

Which other prominent players are facing eligibility issues?

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, and Joel Embiid are among the other notable players who have dealt with injuries that could impact their eligibility.

As the season progresses, will the NBA’s 65-game rule continue to shape the MVP conversation, and how might it influence player participation strategies moving forward?