The NBA has implemented a new player participation policy ahead of the 2023-24 season that aims to ease workload management and “reinforce the fact that we are an 82-game league,” commissioner Adam Silver said. “If you're a healthy player in this league, you're expected to play.”
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the new rules is that players must play at least 65 games to be eligible for major awards. A player must register at least 20 minutes for the game to count. This honor includes:
- MVP
- Defensive Player of the Year
- most improved player
- all-nba team
- all defense team
Now that the All-Star Game is over, let's take a look at which stars are in the danger zone or have already been eliminated from contention by missing too many games.
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The current MVP will not appear in consecutive games. Embiid was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee and underwent surgery in early February. No official date has been announced for his return, but he has already been ruled ineligible for postseason awards no matter when he returns – even if he returns this season.
Irving played well for the Mavericks, but he always struggled to make All-NBA with so many elite young guards in the league these days. In any case, he is currently ineligible. He was sidelined for most of December with a fluke foot injury, and a thumb injury has increased his absence.
Beal's first season in the desert was stopped and started due to various injuries. Back problems that began during training camp prevented him from making his debut until November, and he was forced back into action for another three weeks shortly thereafter. Upon returning from that issue, he sprained his ankle and was forced to miss another two weeks. Overall, he has already far exceeded the maximum number of games he can miss.
Ball's youngest brother got off to a great start this season, but suffered another ankle injury in late November. He then returned, but missed 20 games in almost two months. As a result, he missed too many games to be considered for postseason honors.
Morant recently underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, but he was ineligible for the award even before he started playing. That's because, of course, the league suspended him for the first 25 games of the season for multiple incidents of brandishing a firearm on social media. He was also voted off last season due to injuries and off-the-court issues, meaning he will miss out on 2022 Most Improved Player and All-NBA Second Team honors for the second consecutive season.
Butler, who insists he won't start “seriously playing” until after the All-Star break, has been named to the All-NBA team five times, including three of the past four seasons. He will likely miss this season as he has already missed a number of games, mainly due to calf and foot issues.
Mitchell looked like a good bet to be named to the second or third All-NBA team this season until he went down with a bone bruise in his left knee. Mitchell will miss his 18th game of the season against the Suns on Monday, making him ineligible for All-NBA selection. The Cavs guard averaged 28.0 points and 6.2 assists on 47.2 percent shooting (37.1 percent from 3-point range) this season, helping Cleveland challenge for the No. 2 seed in the East. Mitchell has not played since February 28th.
The Celtics are once again an elite defensive team thanks to the Latvian big man who arrived in a blockbuster trade over the summer. However, it is highly unlikely that he will be in the running for All-Defensive honors as he has already missed the maximum number of games allowed. If he misses one more game, which is almost certainly the case, he will be ineligible.
The NBA's assist leader has missed 13 games this season, mostly due to a hamstring injury he suffered against the Celtics on January 8th. Prior to his return to action, he also played against the Celtics. He called the league's 65-game rule “stupid.” This requirement could have significant financial implications for Haliburton, as the value of the maximum extension he signed last summer depends on whether he makes the All-NBA team.
CBS Sports will continue to update this article throughout the rest of the season
