dailyloe.com – The NBA regular season ends on Sunday, April 11, 2026, shifting focus to playoffs and award races. Major eligibility questions remain, including for Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić. The league’s 65-game rule has already ruled out several injured stars. Players must play at least 20 minutes in 65 games to qualify for regular-season honors.
They get two games where only 15 minutes of play is required. The NBA Cup championship game counts for players on the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. With one game left for all teams, some All-Stars must play Sunday. Nikola Jokić is among those needing to play to become awards-eligible.
Jokić missed Friday’s game for right wrist injury management. The rest of the Denver Nuggets’ starting five also sat out. He is officially questionable for Sunday’s game on the injury report. Every other Nuggets starter has been ruled out again.
Denver faces the San Antonio Spurs in the regular-season finale. This clash could decide the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Jokić has missed 17 games this season. He missed a month with a left knee injury earlier.
He needs to play at least 15 minutes against the Spurs to become eligible. Portland Trail Blazers player Deni Avdija also risks ineligibility. Avdija has missed 16 games due to a back injury. He needs 20 minutes in Portland’s finale against Sacramento.
Avdija appeared for less than a minute in one game. That appearance does not count toward his 65-game total. Several star players are already ineligible for awards. They will not reach the league’s 65-game threshold this season.
The list includes LeBron James and Cade Cunningham. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry are also ineligible. Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker will not qualify. Jimmy Butler and Anthony Davis miss the threshold.
Joel Embiid and Paul George are ineligible. Josh Giddey and Lauri Markkanen will not reach 65 games. Ja Morant is also on the ineligible list. Luka Dončić is expected to appeal his status.[]
Source: Yahoo Sports
