NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the growing criticism of the league's 65-game rule following Cade Cunningham's recent injury, as the debate rages about postseason award eligibility.
Speaking Wednesday, Silver responded to concerns raised by the National Basketball Players Association after Cunningham's situation sparked a renewed investigation into the policy. This rule, implemented to ensure that players meet minimum participation thresholds for major awards, has faced backlash for potentially disqualifying standout seasons marred by injury.
ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel shared Silver's comments on X, formerly known as Twitter:
"I'm not willing to say it's not working. It's working... I'm not willing to say because there's a sense of injustice to a player, that the rule doesn't work."
The NBPA issued a statement Tuesday criticizing the rule in light of Cunningham's case:
"Cade Cunningham's potential ineligibility for postseason awards after a career-defining season is a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and is another example of why it should be eliminated or reformed to make exceptions for significant injuries. Since its implementation, many deserving players have been unfairly disqualified from season-ending honors by this arbitrary and overly harsh quota."
Cade Cunningham's award eligibility in jeopardy after injury
Cunningham, 24, has been in the midst of a breakout fifth season with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 24.5 points, a career-high 9.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds and a career-best 1.5 steals per game. He is shooting 46.1% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range in 61 games, logging 34.4 minutes per contest.
His production has played a central role in leading Detroit to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The Pistons have a record of 52–19 and currently sit as the No. 1 seed as the regular season enters its final stretch.
However, Cunningham's award eligibility is now in question after he suffered a collapsed lung last Wednesday. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, he is expected to miss an "extended amount of time", leaving it uncertain whether he will reach the 65-game limit.
The situation has intensified league-wide discussion about balancing player health with awards criteria, as the NBA and NBPA continue to evaluate the long-term effects of the rule.
