Another electric season bites the dust because of the NBA’s 65-game rule. Anthony Edwards returned to action recently after missing six straight games with a knee injury. He was rested for tonight’s clash against the Pistons due to pain in his right knee. Ant could still reach the 65-game mark if he plays every single game. However, he still won’t qualify for any regular-season awards.

It all comes down to the Wolves’ contest against the Indiana Pacers early in the season. Anthony Edwards played just three minutes. The Timberwolves ace suffered from hamstring tightness. Why’s that game relevant today? Edwards only appeared briefly in the first; the game won’t count towards his tally for the 65-game rule.

“Sitting out tonight means Edwards WILL NOT QUALIFY for MVP or All-NBA status,” Brett Seigel wrote about the consequences of Edwards missing tonight’s game against the Pistons.

The rule’s biggest flaw is treating genuine mid-game injuries like healthy load management. By counting Edwards’ three-minute attempt to play through a hamstring issue against him, the policy actively punishes stars for trying to compete. It directly contradicts the NBA’s goal of keeping them on the floor.

Under the NBA’s 65-game criteria, players have to appear in 65 games and play at least 15 minutes for it to count towards their tally. That one rule will cost Anthony Edwards recognition for what’s been his best individual season. The Timberwolves guard became one of the most ferocious scorers in the league, and is averaging a career-high 29.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, with his two-way impact leading the Wolves to another playoff berth.

Sadly, the NBA’s controversial rule for end-of-the-season awards means Edwards won’t even make an All-NBA team. The Pistons’ Cade Cunningham suffered a similar fate after suffering from a collapsed lung.

Many players have spoken about the rule not accounting for genuine injuries. Adam Silver originally introduced the protocol to discourage load management. But it doesn’t make exceptions for justified absences. Some players, such as LeBron James, have asked for a change.

Even the players’ union released a statement after Cunningham’s exemption from postseason awards. But the NBA’s commissioner doesn’t see the need to change anything.

Adam Silver is a strong advocate for the 65-game rule

Some of the biggest stars won’t be collecting any accolades this season. The 65-game rule has rendered the list. Moreover, even stars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic are in danger of missing out on awards if they pick up another injury. The criteria’s requirements aren’t as detailed yet.

Players don’t voluntarily choose not to play games when injured. The team’s medical staff holds their participation. And an injury is a credible reason to take some time away. Yet, even after Cunningham’s exemption because of the rule in place, Adam Silver isn’t willing to call it a failure.

“I’m not ready to say it’s not working. It is working. I’m not ready to say that because there is a sense of unfairness for one player, the rule doesn’t work,” said the NBA Commissioner.

The rule has pushed the league’s prominent stars to try to play every game they can. There’s no doubt it sends the right message. But at 41, what can LeBron James do if he has to miss the first 14 games of the season due to an injury? He’s played for 23 years. An injury isn’t just common late in a player’s career, but often needs the maximum time to completely heal.

Or even take Anthony Edwards’ case. He physically couldn’t play more minutes against the Pacers in October. So, there is a drawback to the rule introduced three seasons ago. It doesn’t need to be completely erased. However, the league and the players’ union need to work out a resolution that takes injuries into consideration.

A player voluntarily missing games is much different from an inability to participate. That line needs to be drawn. There needs to be more specifications dictating players’ eligibility for awards rather than a simple 65-game tally.