The NBA is facing a crisis, and it's one that could tarnish the legacy of its biggest stars and diminish the excitement for fans: top players are missing more games than ever before. But why is this happening, and what does it mean for those coveted end-of-season awards? The answer is complex, involving a controversial rule change, a surge in injuries, and the ever-increasing physical demands of the modern game. Let's dive in.
Two years ago, the NBA implemented a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that reshaped the salary cap, limiting how much teams could spend on players who aren't considered superstars. While the salary cap changes sparked debate, another provision of the CBA is now drawing even more ire: the 65-game requirement for players to be eligible for end-of-season awards. This means players must participate in at least 65 regular-season games to be considered for accolades like Most Valuable Player (MVP), All-NBA Teams, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and All-Defensive Team selections. Missing more than 17 games automatically disqualifies them.
And this is the part most people miss: this isn't just about bragging rights. These awards often come with significant financial bonuses and endorsement opportunities, making the 65-game threshold even more impactful.
Players aren't happy, to say the least. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton didn't mince words, calling the threshold "stupid" after a practice in January 2024. He's not alone. The NBA Players Association (NBPA) is reportedly planning to push for a reduction in this threshold during the next CBA negotiations, which will take place after the 2029-30 season. That's a long wait for players who feel unfairly penalized now.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is the 65-game rule truly about preserving the integrity of the game and ensuring players are consistently contributing to their teams, or is it a thinly veiled attempt by the league to increase viewership and ticket sales by forcing stars onto the court, even when they might need rest? It's a question worth pondering.
According to the NBA's own data, star players (defined as those who made an All-Star Game or All-NBA team in the previous three seasons) have been sidelined more often than ever. Entering play recently, these stars had already missed a staggering 74 percent of games this season. To put that into perspective, just a little over a month into the season, big names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Darius Garland, Ja Morant, Jalen Williams, and Zion Williamson have all missed significant playing time due to various reasons. Furthermore, Haliburton, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving, and Damian Lillard have also been sidelined due to injuries.
Dr. Brian Schulz, an orthopedic surgeon who works with the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL, believes that the surge in injuries is likely a combination of factors. "I would bet this year, it’s probably a combination of a little bit of a fluke, but also teams just being more cautious with their stars," he said. Teams are increasingly prioritizing long-term health and playoff readiness over short-term regular-season gains, a strategy often referred to as "load management."
The implications of this injury surge are significant. Not only does it diminish the quality of the product on the court, but it also throws the legitimacy of the end-of-season awards into question. Consider LeBron James, a 23-year veteran who has missed a significant number of games. He's at risk of being left off the All-NBA Team for the first time since his rookie season. While his age might be a factor, it's also possible that younger stars, like the incredibly talented Victor Wembanyama, could miss out on the All-Defensive Team despite leading the league in blocks. Wembanyama's impact on the Spurs' defense is undeniable, with their defensive rating improving dramatically when he's on the court.
The NBA implemented the 65-game threshold in 2023 with the explicit goal of boosting competitiveness during the regular season. During CBA negotiations, the league strongly advocated for the threshold, while the players association was hesitant. Ultimately, the players association conceded the clause.
Looking back, the league's own research shows a clear trend: star players in the 1980s and 1990s missed an average of around 10 games per season. That figure rose to 13.9 games in the 2000s, 17.5 games in the 2010s, and a concerning 23.9 games this decade. In fact, the NBA sent a 57-page report to teams highlighting this concerning data and the growing trend of load management.
Last season, the new threshold appeared to have the desired effect: star players appeared in 81 percent of regular-season games, a slight increase from previous years. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defended the rule, stating, "There’s no magic to the 65, but we’re trying to take into account games, of course, that are going to be missed because there are injuries, and maybe occasionally even it’s necessary for a player to rest. This is something we negotiated with the players association. Everybody has an interest in the league putting its best foot forward in a highly competitive regular season."
However, this season has revealed the potential downsides of the rule. Injuries, particularly calf and hamstring issues, are rampant across the league. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr believes that the wear and tear, the speed of the game, and the sheer number of games are all contributing to the injury crisis. Dr. Schulz echoes this sentiment, noting that players are now quicker and stronger than ever, which can lead to more soft-tissue injuries. "It’s the toll of the long season, the travel, the pace of the game, which only gets faster, more physical in the playoffs,” he explained. "And I think it’s also (because) these guys are so strong now, that the way that they train is different than how they trained 15 or 20 years ago. They got to be leaner because it’s just a faster game."
Schulz also believes that players are acutely aware of the 65-game threshold when deciding when to return from injury. The financial incentives tied to awards and All-NBA selections could incentivize players to push themselves to play even when they might not be fully recovered. This creates a delicate balance between proper rest and the desire to achieve individual accolades.
Ultimately, whether the 65-game rule elevates the league's product or undermines it remains to be seen. It hinges on whether the league's stars can stay healthy enough to meet the threshold. So far, the early signs are not encouraging.
Now, I want to hear from you: Do you think the 65-game rule is a necessary measure to ensure competitiveness, or is it a flawed system that punishes players for prioritizing their health? Should the NBPA fight for a lower threshold in the next CBA? And perhaps the most controversial question of all: is it fair to penalize players for injuries that are often a direct result of the demanding NBA schedule? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
