Luka Doncic’s 2025–26 MVP fate clarified after NBA Players Association decision

A major cloud over Luka Doncic’s MVP aspirations for the 2025–26 season has officially been lifted. Following a joint review, the NBA and the NBA Players Association have ruled in favor of the Los Angeles Lakers star’s Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge, confirming his eligibility for all major individual honors.

League and NBPA rule in favor of Doncic

The decision comes after Doncic narrowly missed the NBA’s 65-game eligibility threshold. However, the league acknowledged the legitimacy of his absence, allowing him to remain in contention for awards such as MVP and All-NBA selections.

"Just in: The NBA and NBPA have ruled in favor of Lakers' Luka Doncic and Pistons' Cade Cunningham on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge for the 65-game award rule, making both eligible for all 2025-26 season honors such as MVP and All-NBA teams, sources tell ESPN," Charania wrote on his X account.

Joining Luka Doncic in this ruling is Cade Cunningham, whose case was also upheld after missing time due to a serious health issue.

Understanding the 65-Game rule exception

The NBA mandates that players must appear in at least 65 regular-season games to qualify for end-of-season awards. Doncic featured in 64 games, falling just short after missing time in December for the birth of his child abroad.

Cunningham’s situation followed a different path but reached the same conclusion. The Detroit Pistons guard was sidelined after suffering a collapsed lung, limiting him to the same number of appearances.

Both cases were reviewed under the league’s exception framework, which allows flexibility in extraordinary personal or medical circumstances.

Performance still speaks loudest

Despite the technical shortfall in appearances, Luka Doncic’s on-court production left little doubt about his MVP credentials. He led the league in scoring with 33.5 points per game while also contributing 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds, maintaining his status as one of the most dominant players in the league.

Cunningham also delivered an impressive campaign, averaging 23.9 points and nearly 10 assists per game, further justifying the league’s decision to uphold his eligibility.

Anthony Edwards’ appeal falls short

While Doncic and Cunningham received positive outcomes, Anthony Edwards did not. His challenge was escalated to an independent arbitrator but ultimately denied.

"his case was advanced to an independent arbitrator, but was denied and is not eligible for awards," the sources confirmed to Charania.

MVP race back on track

With the ruling finalized, Luka Doncic is firmly back in the MVP conversation heading into the 2025–26 season. The decision underscores the league’s willingness to balance strict rules with fairness, ensuring elite performances are not overshadowed by unavoidable circumstances.