Nikola Jokic may not win MVP this year because the worst injury of his career kept him out a month, both derailing the Denver Nuggets and nearly making him ineligible for postseason awards despite one of his strongest seasons.

But Jokic isn’t the only NBA star who may have his campaign go unrecognized despite standout performances. Due to the league’s relatively new 65-game eligibility rule, all of LeBron James, Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo can’t score any honors such as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA or All-Defensive Team. If three of the biggest names in the league weren’t enough, Jokic is on the list along with Devin Booker, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards, who can’t miss more than eight games for the rest of the season.

Jokic can miss just one more game in the Nuggets’ final 24 contests. Despite this, his MVP odds have actually risen since he came back from injury, SGA is currently out with his own extended injury absence. Books actually took Jokic’s name off the board for a while when it looked like it would not be possible for him to play 65 games.

Because of the rule, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, who has had a great season but may just be the last man standing, is climbing the MVP hopefuls list.

Date
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Nikola Jokić
Cade Cunningham

Christmas
+150
-115
+8000

New Year’s Eve
-400
+1400
+1500

Today (Feb 24)
-125
+270
+550

Even if Jokic doesn’t get MVP, his seven-year streak of All-NBA selections is also on the line. That is something to consider for all of these players, including James, whose record streak of 21 straight years on the season-end team is coming to an end.

These players are at risk of missing NBA awards under the 65-game rule:

— Jokic: 1 more missed game
— Booker: 3 more missed games
— Wemby: 4 more missed games
— Luka: 5 more missed games
— SGA: 6 more missed games
— Ant: 7 more missed games

LeBron, Steph, and Giannis are… pic.twitter.com/m3mmWYb7vc

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 24, 2026

With all of these injuries, it’s not only given Jokic a chance at honors if he’s able to play the rest of the way, but the chaos has boosted All-Star Jamal Murray’s hopes at his first All-NBA team — something he’s made a goal.