Cade Cunningham is at risk of becoming ineligible for end of season awards. The National Basketball Players Association wants to keep his eligibility intact.
The NBPA is pushing for an amendment of the league’s 65-game rule, which requires players to play at least 20 minutes in a minimum of 65 games to earn individual honors, such as All-NBA or MVP. Cunningham is at risk of missing the rest of the regular season with a collapsed left lung. Doing so would leave him five games short of the eligibility cut-off.
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It would be a rough outcome for Cunningham, who has put himself firmly in the All-NBA First Team discussion by leading the Pistons to their best season in nearly two decades.
Tre Johnson of the Washington Wizards and Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons collide during the first quarter at Capital One Arena on March 17, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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“Cade Cunningham’s potential ineligibility for postseason awards after a career-defining season is a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and yet another example of why it must be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries,” the union told national media outlets, including ESPN, through a spokesperson. “Since its implementation, far too many deserving players have been unfairly disqualified from end-of-season honors by this arbitrary and overly rigid quota.”
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Cunningham is averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals and nearly a block per game. The Pistons are on pace to finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference, standing 52-19 overall with 11 games remaining.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Detroit Pistons Duncan Robinson (55) defends against Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic (77) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Detroit Pistons Duncan Robinson (55) defends against Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic (77) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Detroit Pistons Jalen Duren (0) and Los Angeles Lakers Deandre Ayton (5) start the game with a jump ball at center court at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Detroit Pistons Ausar Thompson (9) dunks the ball for two pint against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Detroit Pistons Tobias Harris (12) defends against Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic (77) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Detroit Pistons Ausar Thompson (9) dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Detroit Pistons Tobias Harris (12) fouls Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (23) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Los Angeles Lakers Austin Reaves (15) defends against Detroit Pistons Daniss Jenkins (24) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (23) shoots a jump shot over Detroit Pistons Jalen Duren (0) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Los Angeles Lakers Jarred Vanderbilt (2) battles for position between Detroit Pistons Caris LeVert (8) and Ronald Holland II (5) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Los Angeles Lakers Jake LaRavia (12) defends against Detroit Pistons Daniss Jenkins (24) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Los Angeles Lakers Luke Kennard (10) runs after the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Detroit Pistons Kevin Huerter (27) defends against Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic (77) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Detroit Pistons Paul Reed (7) goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers for two points during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons host West contender Los Angeles Lakers at LCA
Detroit Pistons Caris LeVert (8) pleads his case on a foul call to referee John Goble (10) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, March 23, 2026.
The 65-game rule was implemented in the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement to curtail “load management” games for stars. Cunningham appear likely to be an unintended casualty of the rule. The Pistons already have a postseason berth locked up and have secured their first 50-win season since 2007-08.
The superstar already arguably has an All-NBA résumé, but won’t be eligible unless he returns in time to play in five more contests.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky and/or X @omarisankofa.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NBPA pushing to amend 65-game rule, get Cade Cunningham All-NBA nod