Luka Doncic & Cade Cunningham’s Successful 65-Game Appeals Could Set Unwanted Precedent, Says Ex-Champion

Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham had appealed to the NBA to be allowed to earn end-of-season awards.

Luka Doncic & Cade Cunningham’s Successful 65-Game Appeals Could Set Unwanted Precedent, Says Ex-Champion

Cade Cunningham, Iman Shumpert, and Luka Doncic (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham successfully appealed the NBA's 65-game rule, making them eligible for end-of-season awards.
  • Iman Shumpert expressed concerns that this decision could set a precedent for future player appeals.
  • Anthony Edwards' appeal was rejected, highlighting inconsistencies in the NBA's handling of injury-related absences.

Up until a few days ago, basketball fans felt that superstar guards Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham were unjustly victims of the NBA’s 65-Game rule.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s hamstring injury meant that he would miss the rest of the regular season, which meant he would not have accolades to show for his exceptional body of work this season.

Unlike how he missed a few games due to injury earlier this season, he and his representatives claimed that the second instance of his being away from the court was because he had to travel to Slovenia to attend the birth of his second daughter.

While some did not appreciate the excuse, others felt the NBA should allow the Lakers’ superstar some leeway. They said the same about Cade Cunningham.

He did not suffer a punctured lung while on the court. That is why many felt he should be given some grace. Now, the NBA has agreed to its Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge and has granted the two to be included for end-of-season awards.

Now it’s an ‘ish’ rule. It’s not a rule anymore… There’s going to be a string of other guys that feel that this is a bit unfair.

Iman Shumpert said on NBA Today

The former NBA champion reiterated that he was happy for both Luka Doncic and the Detroit Pistons star, but warned that this could lead several others to appeal their cases.

Iman Shumpert hopes this does not become a precedent. He wants the NBA to figure out how they can modify the rules to both make it fair and ensure appeals such as this do not become a regular habit.

Luka Doncic thanks players’ union and Lakers for fighting his appeal

As soon as this news hit everyone’s notifications section, another post appeared on social media. This time, it was Luka Doncic who wanted to thank those who helped him with his appeal.

Luka Doncic has been spectacular this season
Luka Doncic has been spectacular this season (Image via Complex Sports/X)

I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision. It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December, and I appreciate Mark, Jeanie, Rob, JJ, and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and allowing me to travel to be there.

Luka Doncic wrote on X

From this tweet, it is evident that the 27-year-old wanted his exceptional performances from this season to be rewarded. even though he knows he will not be in the running to win the MVP award.

However, he can add to his five All-NBA First-Team selections. That in itself will be a good way to sum up his season, even though many felt he was deserving of being the league’s most valuable player.

NBA rejects Luka Doncic’s rival appeal

Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham managed to get their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge accepted. However, not everyone was lucky, as Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards found out.

The Lakers and Pistons guards have 64 games showing under their stat sheet. In contrast, the Wolves star has played in just 61 games.

That is why the league did not think it was enough to warrant an appeal. Had Edwards also played a few more games, maybe they could have agreed to his request.

Now, as Edwards’ agent stated, the 6’4″ guard is focused on winning a championship. With their first round series against longtime foe, the Denver Nuggets, it might be a difficult start to life in the postseason.

But if the Georgia Bulldog can get healthy and do what he did to them a couple of postseasons ago, then that title might be in his sights.

At the same time, it could also be in the sights of Cade Cunningham, whose Pistons are flying again ever since he returned. But the Lakers’ fate depends on whether Doncic can return healthy.

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