Lakers star Luka Dončić finds out fate for NBA awards
Story by
Lakers star Luka Dončić finds out fate for NBA awards
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Luka Doncic, wearing a black Los Angeles Lakers jersey with the number 77, celebrates with his arms raised, Image 2 shows Basketball player Luka Doncic in a purple Lakers jersey with number 77, smiling on court, Image 3 shows Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers
Khobi Price·NY Post Sports
·
3 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Despite falling short of the games-played threshold,LakersstarLuka Dončićis eligible for the league's end-of-season awards voting, including All-NBA.
Pistons star Cade Cunninghamalso won his appeal of the Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge, the league and Players Association announced.
LA Lakers' Luka Dončić celebrates after a basket against the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, March 25 in Indianapolis. Getty Images
The ruling made Dončić and Cunningham eligible for all 2025–26 annual awards, which include All-NBA and MVP voting, with both expected to make an All-NBA team.
He missed two games in December because of the birth of his daughter in Europe, which qualified as an extraordinary circumstance according to the release. One of Dončić's 18 missed games this season was because of a league-mandated suspension for the March 30 win over theWizardsafter he picked up his 16th technical foul.
"I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision,"Dončić wrote on X. "It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December and I appreciate Mark [Walter], Jeanie [Buss], Rob [Pelinka], JJ [Redick], and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and allowing me to travel to be there. This season has been so special to me because of what my teammates and I have been able to accomplish, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be considered for the league's end-of-season awards."
Dončić won the scoring title after leading the league with 33.5 points in addition to 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
He was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for January and March.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Cunningham averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists, leading thePistonsto 60 wins and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Dončić will be eligible for the league's end-of-season awards voting, including All-NBA. NBAE via Getty Images
The full statement from the NBA and NBPA read: "The NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have agreed, in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), that Detroit Pistons guardCade Cunninghamand Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić are eligible for all annual awards for the 2025–26 NBA regular season."
Cunningham played in 63 qualified games due in part to missing 12 games as a result of a collapsed lung that was diagnosed March 17. Dončić played in 64 qualified games due in part to missing two games to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia. The NBA and NBPA agreed that, taking into account the totality of the circumstances for Cunningham and Dončić, each player qualified for awards under the Extraordinary Circumstances provision in the CBA.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Additionally, Edwards, who played in 60 qualified games, filed an Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge under the CBA, seeking award eligibility before an independent arbitrator. Edwards' challenge was denied and, as a result, he is not eligible for annual awards for the 2025–26 NBA regular season.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
