The NBA’s controversial 65-game minimum rule has shaken up the awards conversation more than ever before. As the 2024-25 regular season concludes, Justin Russo pointed out that only 84 players—or just 15% of the league—are officially eligible for end-of-season honors like MVP, All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Improved Player.
The rule, introduced to preserve the integrity of the awards and discourage load management, has instead eliminated a significant number of elite stars from contention.
1. Jaden McDaniels
2. Mikal Bridges
3. Jalen Green
4. Brook Lopez
5. Ivica Zubac
6. Carlton Carrington
7. Christian Braun
8. Pascal Siakam
9. James Harden
10. Bam Adebayo
11. Anthony Edwards
12. Chris Paul
13. Malik Beasley
14. Tyler Herro
15. Josh Hart
16. Dyson Daniels
17. Trae Young
18. Payton Pritchard
19. Derrick White
20. Michael Porter Jr.
21. Naz Reid
22. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
23. Toumani Camara
24. DeMar DeRozan
25. Darius Garland
26. Taurean Prince
27. Devin Booker
28. Keegan Murray
29. Alperen Sengun
30. OG Anunoby
31. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
32. Harrison Barnes
33. Coby White
34. Dillon Brooks
35. Tyrese Haliburton
36. Jaren Jackson Jr.
37. Zach LaVine
38. Jayson Tatum
39. Nikola Vucevic
40. Tobias Harris
41. Austin Reaves
42. Karl-Anthony Towns
43. Donovan Mitchell
44. Tim Hardaway Jr.
45. Rudy Gobert
46. Luguentz Dort
47. Onyeka Okongwu
48. Josh Giddey
49. Cade Cunningham
50. Bennedict Mathurin
51. Myles Turner
52. LeBron James
53. Deni Avdija
54. Shaedon Sharpe
55. Evan Mobley
56. Klay Thompson
57. Nikola Jokic
58. Russell Westbrook
59. Stephen Curry
60. Desmond Bane
61. Anfernee Simons
62. Jalen Duren
63. Jalen Williams
64. Tyus Jones
65. Stephon Castle
66. Spencer Dinwiddie
67. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
68. Julius Randle
69. Yves Missi
70. Domantas Sabonis
71. Jordan Poole
72. Jamal Murray
73. Dennis Schroder
74. Draymond Green
75. Amen Thompson
76. Jaylen Wells
77. Keyonte George
78. Nic Claxton
79. Josh Green
80. Max Christie
81. Jalen Brunson
82. Alex Sarr
83. Devin Vassell
84. Scottie Barnes
Among the 84 eligible players are some notable standouts. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Tyrese Haliburton are among the few stars who not only had elite seasons but also stayed healthy enough to remain in the conversation. Meanwhile, Edwards’ durability and rise to superstardom in Minnesota could land him on the All-NBA First Team for the first time.
The list of eligible names is filled with workhorses like Brook Lopez, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and Jaden McDaniels—players who aren’t always in the spotlight but who showed up night after night.
Rising stars like Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Jalen Williams, and Keegan Murray made the cut, as did veterans like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook. Even role players like Malik Beasley, Naz Reid, and Taurean Prince made it, illustrating how few marquee names reached the required threshold.
While the league has undoubtedly achieved its goal of rewarding durability, the rule has inadvertently disqualified several of the league’s biggest names, sparking debate among fans and analysts alike.
1. Luka Doncic
2. Anthony Davis
3. Kyrie Irving
4. Kevin Durant
5. Kawhi Leonard
6. Bradley Beal
7. Ja Morant
8. Joel Embiid
9. Paul George
10. Jaylen Brown
11. Kristaps Porzingis
12. Jrue Holiday
13. Damian Lillard
14. Franz Wagner
15. Paolo Banchero
16. Tyrese Maxey
17. Chet Holmgren
18. Victor Wembanyama
19. LaMelo Ball
20. Jimmy Butler
21. De’Aaron Fox
22. Zion Williamson
23. Brandon Ingram
24. Lauri Markkanen
25. Alex Caruso
26. Isaiah Hartenstein
27. Ausar Thompson
This season, the 65-game rule has turned into a defining narrative around the awards. While the league wanted to reward availability, the cost has been excluding some of the game’s biggest names, most of whom sat out due to legitimate injuries rather than excessive rest. The spirit of the rule—to ensure that awards reflect sustained excellence—remains intact, but its rigidity may need reconsideration in the future.
Fans and analysts are left wondering: Should players with obvious elite impact really be left off the All-NBA list because they played 62 games instead of 65?
That question will loom large heading into the offseason, especially as more and more stars fall short of the threshold.
Until the rule is reviewed, the NBA’s awards will continue to be shaped not just by performance, but by durability—a double-edged sword in the era of player health prioritization.
