"There is a new candidate for MVP this season that is dominating the race, and it wears the number "65". A few years ago, the NBA set a threshold of 65 games played for any player to be considered for any individual award. The threshold was part of the league's effort to cut down on the perceived "load management" that was becoming very unpopular among the fanbase, but the decision has yielded unintended consequences."
"Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, has been sidelined with an abdominal injury and has already missed 11 of the Thunder's 60 games so far, including the last nine in a row. He is set to return to the lineup Friday at home against Denver, however. Jokic, the three-time MVP and reigning runner-up, has missed 16 games."
With six weeks remaining in the NBA regular season, the awards races are analyzed across the league. The MVP race is dominated by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, who holds -250 odds despite missing 11 games due to an abdominal injury. Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP, follows at +425 odds but has missed 16 games. The NBA's 65-game eligibility threshold, implemented to discourage load management, has created unintended consequences by disqualifying several top MVP candidates who have exceeded the absence limit. Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed 27 games, Joel Embiid 26, and Victor Wembanyama 14, making them ineligible despite their elite performance levels.
Read at ESPN.com
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