The Los Angeles Lakers will be without All-Star point guard Luka Doncic for at least the start of their first-round series against the Houston Rockets as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.
The injury also put Doncic at risk of not qualifying for end-of-season MVP awards, such as All-NBA team selections and MVP, since he failed to meet the league’s 65 games played threshold.
However, he filed an “Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge” on account of games he missed earlier this season for the birth of his daughter.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Thursday that Doncic’s filing was successful, restoring the guard’s eligibility after a monster season that saw him average 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, putting him in the thick of the MVP race.
Just in: The NBA and NBPA have ruled in favor of Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Pistons’ Cade Cunningham on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge for the 65-game award rule, making both eligible for all 2025-26 season honors such as MVP and All-NBA teams, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gUYdUn1q4k
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 16, 2026
“Just in: The NBA and NBPA have ruled in favor of Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Pistons’ Cade Cunningham on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge for the 65-game award rule, making both eligible for all 2025-26 season honors such as MVP and All-NBA teams, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported.
Following the announcement, Doncic took to social media to release a statement of his own.
“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. This season has been so special to me because of what my teammates and I have been able to accomplish, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be considered for the league’s end-of-season awards.”
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…
— Luka Doncic (@lukadoncic) April 16, 2026
Now, Doncic will focus his full attention on returning to the court in time to help the Lakers make a deep playoff run.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.