NBAPA criticizes award eligibility rule following Cade Cunningham’s lung collapse

Cade Cunningham’s Injury and Award Eligibility Concerns

The National Basketball Players Association has made some remarks about Cade Cunningham’s chances for receiving season awards.

Although Cunningham has participated in 61 games this season, an issue with a collapsed lung might hinder him from hitting the 65-game minimum required for significant accolades like the MVP and All-NBA teams.

Recently, he mentioned that his injury might keep him sidelined for an “extended period,” with a reassessment scheduled in two weeks.

He narrowly missed the 62-game injury exception, which applies when players compete in at least 85 percent of their team’s matches and total 62 games before the injury occurs.

The NBPA expressed concerns: “Cade Cunningham could potentially be ineligible.” They criticized the 65-game rule, suggesting it often unfairly excludes players from deserved honors due to serious injuries. They advocate for reforming the rule to accommodate such situations.

On a performance note, Cunningham is currently averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 46.1 percent overall and 34.6 percent from beyond the arc. His agent, Jeff Schwartz, pointed out that despite the injury, Cunningham’s season merits recognition from the league.

This season, his contributions have propelled the Pistons to a commendable 52-19 record, making them the top team in the Eastern Conference, with a significant lead over the Celtics and Cavaliers.

However, his injury poses a real risk of derailing their final stretch of the regular season.

Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff commented on the situation, acknowledging the challenge Cunningham faces and the vital role he plays within the team. “It’s tough for Cade to go through this, and it’s challenging for the team as well,” he noted.

Cunningham has shown his talent throughout his five years with the Pistons after being the top pick in the 2021 draft. His career average stands at 22.6 points, peaking at 26.1 last season, and he’s been recognized as an All-Star in the past two years, placing seventh in MVP voting for the 2024-25 season.