Nikola Jokic's quest for another MVP title is hitting a snag this season, thanks to an untimely injury that sidelined him for a month. This setback not only disrupted the Denver Nuggets' rhythm but also put Jokic's eligibility for postseason awards in jeopardy, despite him delivering one of his most impressive seasons yet.
But Jokic isn't alone in this predicament. The NBA's 65-game eligibility rule is casting a shadow over several superstars.
LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are all at risk of missing out on honors like MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and All-NBA or All-Defensive Team selections. Joining them on this precarious list are Devin Booker, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Anthony Edwards, who must tread carefully with their game absences.
Jokic, in particular, can afford to miss just one more game out of the Nuggets' remaining 24. Yet, intriguingly, his MVP odds have actually improved since his return from injury. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is dealing with his own extended absence, which has bookmakers reconsidering Jokic’s chances, even temporarily removing him from consideration.
The rule has also opened the door for players like Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, who, despite being a dark horse, is climbing the MVP hopefuls list, partly due to his resilience and consistency.
Even if Jokic doesn't clinch the MVP, his impressive seven-year streak of All-NBA selections is at risk. This concern extends to LeBron James as well, whose remarkable 21-year streak on the season-end team could be coming to an end.
Here’s a quick look at the current situation for these stars under the 65-game rule:
- Jokic: Can miss 1 more game
- Booker: Can miss 3 more games
- Wembanyama: Can miss 4 more games
- Doncic: Can miss 5 more games
- Gilgeous-Alexander: Can miss 6 more games
- Edwards: Can miss 7 more games
Amidst all this, the chaos has unexpectedly bolstered Jamal Murray's chances of making his first All-NBA team, a personal goal he's been eyeing. With the season winding down, the race against time and injuries is as intense as ever, and the stakes are sky-high for these NBA stars.