By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA is navigating an unprecedented situation as the 2025–26 Regular Season draws to a close, with the eligibility of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic for the season-ending awards hanging in the balance.
Since the implementation of the 65-game minimum two years ago, the league’s protocol has been remarkably rigid. Historically, official ballots are dispatched to media members shortly after midnight on the Monday following the season finale, with a strict deadline to cast votes. However, the Slovenian’s final tally of 64 games played, just one shy of the requirement, has triggered a first-of-its-kind process with a challenge that threatens to upend this established timeline.
The league office finds itself in uncharted territory as it navigates an appeal filed by the agent of the Ljubljana native, Bill Duffy. The grievance seeks to have two games missed in December for the birth of his daughter officially excused, a move that would theoretically push his total to the 66-game mark and restore his candidacy for MVP and All-NBA honors. Because the NBA has never dealt with a formal application of this specific challenge until now, the procedural path forward is inherently murky. To maintain the integrity of the voting process, the league may be forced to delay the distribution of ballots until an independent arbitrator delivers a final ruling.
This potential postponement creates a significant logistical ripple effect. If the league waits for a resolution, the traditional window for media voting will likely be pushed into the week of the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.
Adding to the urgency, Doncic has already traveled to Spain to expedite his recovery process after being ruled out for the remainder of the Regular Season, signaling that his focus has shifted to postseason readiness while the legal process unfolds.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding MVP and All-NBA honors, Doncic remains the clear favorite for the scoring title, which carries a lower minimum threshold of 70%, which equals a total of 58 games.