NBA MVP Race Heats Up as 65-Game Rule Puts Stars on the Clock

The NBA MVP race is taking on new urgency in 2026, as a recently implemented rule requiring players to appear in at least 65 regular-season games has added a dramatic layer of suspense for fans and contenders alike. With several of the league’s biggest stars toeing the threshold, every game from here on out carries enormous weight—not just for team success, but for individual legacy.

The 65-game minimum, introduced as part of the league’s ongoing push to combat load management and encourage player participation, stipulates that only those who meet the appearance mark are eligible for major individual awards, including Most Valuable Player. This change has transformed the once-familiar MVP calculus, making durability as important as dominance.

At the heart of this season’s MVP conversation are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, both of whom have dazzled on the court but now must carefully navigate the tightrope of health and availability down the stretch.

• The new rule means missing even a handful of games—for rest or minor injuries—can derail an MVP campaign.
• According to league data, several top performers are hovering dangerously close to the 65-game minimum, raising the stakes for every appearance.
• Teams must now balance the long-term health of their stars with their candidacies for major awards, a challenge that is reshaping rotations and resting strategies league-wide.

For Gilgeous-Alexander, whose breakout performances have powered Oklahoma City’s rise, the pressure is particularly acute. Every night on the floor is an opportunity to strengthen his MVP case—but also a risk, as the grind of the schedule takes its toll.

Jokic, a perennial contender and former MVP, faces a similar dilemma. The Denver big man’s consistency and all-around impact are well-established, but even a short spell on the sidelines could shift the narrative in a crowded field.

The new eligibility rule has also affected the strategies of coaches and front offices. With the MVP and other awards now tied directly to games played, there’s greater incentive for franchises to keep their stars active, especially in nationally televised matchups or head-to-head clashes with other contenders.

Fans and analysts following the MVP race are quickly learning that every box score matters. A late-season rest day or minor injury absence could now be the difference between hoisting the trophy and missing out entirely—a reality that has injected the regular season with fresh urgency and intrigue.

This heightened drama is likely to persist as the season unfolds, with stars, teams, and fans all keeping a close eye on the games played column. For MVP hopefuls like Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, and others, the message is clear: stay on the court, and stay in the race.