With just 12 days remaining in the regular season, several NBA stars are dangerously close to not meeting the 65-game minimum required to qualify for end-of-season awards and honors under the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement. NBA insider Bobby Marks recently detailed the current status of marquee names—including LeBron James and Stephen Curry—who are on the edge of eligibility.
- Evan Mobley (64)
- LeBron James (64)
- Jalen Williams (64)
- Stephen Curry (63)
- Amen Thompson (63)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (63)
- Kevin Durant (62)
- Jalen Brunson (61)
- Domantas Sabonis (61)
- Scottie Barnes (61)
- Draymond Green (60)
- Jaylen Brown (59)
- Damian Lillard (59)
Among those with the best chances to qualify is Evan Mobley, who sits at 64 games played and needs just one more appearance to meet the threshold. Mobley is a leading contender for Defensive Player of the Year, anchoring the Cavaliers’ elite defense, and his recent return to the lineup suggests he’ll clear the bar easily.
LeBron James, also at 64 games, is expected to reach the quota in the Lakers’ next matchup. If so, LeBron will continue his unprecedented streak of being named to an All-NBA team for a 21th consecutive season—an achievement that no player in league history has come close to matching.
Jalen Williams, who’s been a breakout star for the Oklahoma City Thunder, also sits at 64 games and is healthy following a brief injury layoff. The versatile forward has been instrumental in the Thunder’s rise to the top of the Western Conference and is expected to easily meet the criteria.
Stephen Curry, currently at 63 games, has returned to form in recent weeks after missing time due to a minor leg injury. Barring a setback, he should finish the season above the threshold—keeping him in contention for another All-NBA selection.
Amen Thompson and Giannis Antetokounmpo, both sitting at 63 games, are also likely to qualify. Giannis is once again having a spectacular season, and the Bucks will need him down the stretch to secure home-court advantage. Amen has impressed late in the season and should get the necessary appearances.
Kevin Durant, however, is in serious jeopardy. He has played 62 games, but the Suns only have six games remaining, and reports suggest he’ll miss at least half of them due to a lingering ankle issue. That would leave KD short of eligibility despite being one of the league’s most efficient scorers.
Jalen Brunson, at 61 games, is also at risk. The Knicks star is sidelined with an ankle injury, and there’s currently no timetable for his return. With only seven games left on New York’s schedule, it’s unclear whether Brunson will be able to suit up in the necessary four.
Domantas Sabonis (61 games) and Scottie Barnes (61 games) are both expected to qualify. Sabonis continues to be the engine of Sacramento’s offense, while Barnes could make a few appearances despite the Raptors being out of playoff contention.
Draymond Green (60 games) and Jaylen Brown (59 games) are question marks. Green is expected to play heavy minutes as the Warriors fight for playoff position, but Brown’s health remains uncertain. He’ll need to appear in six of Boston’s last seven games to qualify, but has been dealing with injury concerns.
Finally, Damian Lillard (59 games) is almost certainly out of contention. The Bucks star is dealing with a blood clot issue and is not expected to return during the regular season, ruling him out of any award considerations this year.
With the new 65-game rule reshaping the landscape, the final stretch of the season is no longer just about playoff seeding—but also about award eligibility for some of the league’s biggest stars.
