The Heat Check: Unfairness in NBA History-Making
By Derek Olson, March 3, 2026
The NBA's 65-game rule is a controversial topic that could impact the legacy of star players. This rule, introduced in the 2023 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, limits MVP and end-of-season award considerations to players who have played 20 or more minutes in at least 63 games. Players can only miss 17 games each regular season before being eliminated from contention.
This rule was designed to combat the excessive load management that has plagued the league in recent years, where star players sit out games to rest. However, it's now causing more harm than good. The rule unfairly penalizes players who miss games due to injury or other circumstances, potentially affecting their MVP and All-NBA team recognition.
Consider the case of Nikola Jokić, who can only miss one more game this season to remain in MVP contention. Similarly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can miss six games, and Victor Wembanyama can miss three. With 20 games left in the regular season, these players are under immense pressure to perform.
The rule's impact is evident in the absence of players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, and Lebron James, who have already surpassed the 17-game limit. For Lebron James, this marks the first time he won't be on an All-NBA team since his rookie season in 2004, a significant blow to his legacy.
The rule's fairness is further questioned by the example of Shaquille O'Neal, who missed 31 games due to knee injuries in the 1996-1997 season but still made the All-NBA Third Team. This highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to player recognition.
The 65-game rule is particularly harsh for MVP consideration, as only two MVPs have played fewer than 65 games in a regular season, excluding lockout-impacted seasons. Bill Walton, for instance, won the MVP award despite missing 22 games due to injury, a dominance that wouldn't have been recognized under the current rule.
This season, Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander, who are neck-and-neck in various performance metrics, face a dilemma. They must decide between resting for the playoffs or pushing themselves to secure awards, recognition, and contract bonuses. The risk of injury during the playoffs, as evidenced by the Achilles tears of Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, adds another layer of complexity.
The NBA must recognize the increased injury risk to star players due to the demanding 82-game schedule and the sport's growing athleticism. While the league's intention to address load management was commendable, the focus should now shift to mitigating the surge in injuries among its top players.
To ensure fairness and accuracy in player recognition, the NBA should consider modifying the rule to set a minimum number of minutes played throughout the season, rather than an exact game count. This approach would better measure a player's value through volume, allowing for a more comprehensive evaluation.
