DHJ Quick Take
- Eligibility Granted: The NBA and NBPA have officially ruled that Luka Dončić is eligible for postseason awards, despite falling just short of the standard 65-game requirement.
- Extraordinary Circumstances: The decision invoked a specific CBA provision, citing Dončić’s travel to Slovenia for the birth of his daughter as a valid reason for missing games.
- Official Resolution: Dončić expressed gratitude to both the league and the players’ association for their advocacy and for reaching a fair conclusion regarding his qualification.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić is now eligible for all annual awards for the 2025-26 NBA regular season.
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have agreed in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that Dončić and Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham are eligible for postseason awards.
Dončić played in 64 qualified games for the Lakers this season. He missed two games to attend the birth of his second daughter in Slovenia.
Meanwhile, Cunningham played in 63 qualified games for the Pistons. He missed 12 games because of a collapsed lung that was diagnosed on March 17.
The NBA and NBPA agreed that after 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.
“I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision,” Dončić said on social media. “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.”
In his first full season with the Lakers, Dončić put up astonishing numbers. He averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 47.6% from the field, 36.6% from 3 and 78.0% from the free-throw line. The future Hall of Famer led the league in both total points and points per game.
Dončić suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2. The Lakers said the All-Star is out indefinitely, which means Dončić is not expected to play anytime soon.
Los Angeles faces the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2026 playoffs. Along with Dončić, the Lakers are also without shooting guard Austin Reaves, who is healing from a Grade 2 left oblique strain.
Dončić will rejoin the Lakers on Friday, April 17. He went to Spain to receive injections in his injured left hamstring to promote healing and expedite his return to the court. The former Dallas Mavericks star is trying to make a miraculous return to the court.
Dončić made five All-NBA First Teams with the Mavericks. He will likely make the All-NBA First Team this season with the Lakers.
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