With the goal of lessening load management and “reinforcing that we’re an 82-game league,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced a new player participation rules prior to the 2023–24 season. “If you’re a healthy player in this league, the expectation is that you’re going to play.” The requirement that players appear in at least 65 games in order to be eligible for major honors is arguably the most noteworthy feature of the new regulations. A player must have registered for at least 20 minutes in order for their game to count. Those honors consist of:
Here’s a look at which players are either in risk of missing too many games or have already been ruled out of contention as the season approaches its final month. Are you looking for additional NBA coverage? Every day on the Beyond the Arc podcast, John Gonzalez, Bill Reiter, Ashley Nicole Moss, and special guests delve deeply into the league’s biggest storylines.
The reigning MVP will not be going back-to-back. Embiid was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee and underwent surgery in early February. No official timeline for his return has been announced, but no matter when he returns — if he does at all this season — he’s already been ruled ineligible for postseason awards.
Irving has played well for the Mavericks, though with the elite young guards in the league nowadays he was always facing an uphill battle to make the All-NBA cut. In any case, he’s now ineligible. A fluke foot injury kept him out for nearly all of December and after a thumb problem, he’s now missed too many games.
Beal’s first season in the desert has been stop-and-start due to various injuries. A back problem that began in training camp prevented him from making his debut until November, then almost immediately forced him back to the sideline for another three weeks. Upon his return from that issue, he sprained his ankle and was ruled out a further two weeks. All told, he’s already far surpassed the maximum number of games he could miss.
