The Memphis Grizzlies took on the San Antonio Spurs in a road game on Friday night, winning 140-112, without Ja Morant, who has a right foot injury. Morant played in 24 of the first 42 games of the season.
Ja Morant Ineligible for NBA Awards Due to New 65-Game Rule
Morant’s losses affected his eligibility for the award
This meeting represents Morant’s 18th loss this season, making him officially ineligible for NBA regular season awards or honors, such as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA teams. Despite his absence, the Grizzlies have a good record of 27 wins out of 15 losses, placing themselves in third place in the Western Conference standings.
Morant is averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 assists in a solid season so far, but he has been out for most of the year. Although Morant is undeniably a talented player, he has not appeared in more than 65 games in a season since his first professional year. Under the current eligibility rules, he must improve his availability in the future if he hopes to accumulate individual honors for his record.
All-Star Game Exemption
Morant remains eligible for the All-Star Game, as the event does not have multiple games required for participation. His popularity and electric style of play should guarantee him a place, despite his absence.
The Minimum Rule of 65 Matches
The NBA introduced this new 65-game minimum rule at the start of the 2023-24 season to discourage teams from resting their players too much, a practice called load management. This rule was introduced as part of the latest collective agreement between the league and the players’ association.
This initiative aims to address a persistent concern: players resting during high-stakes games, which often frustrates fans and broadcasters. Gregg Popovich’s strategic approach with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili—sometimes during televised games—was at the beginning of this trend, which is now widespread in the league.
Other Superstars Face Similar Challenges
Morant isn’t the only superstar affected by this new rule. Luka Dončić has also been ineligible for NBA awards after missing several games this season. Dončić is one of the favorite MVP candidates and seems almost guaranteed to make an All-NBA team. His situation highlights the challenges this rule presents for players who may be out due to legitimate injuries rather than load management.
A Potentially Failed Solution?
While the league’s effort to combat load management is commendable, questions remain about the fairness of the 65-game rule. This rule presents serious difficulties for players who have suffered injuries. A player who misses 10-13 games due to injury has very little margin for further absences, making it almost impossible for them to qualify for awards even with minor setbacks. later on.
At the end of the day, Morant understands that the ultimate goal is to win a championship. However, the NBA must find a way to balance their efforts to limit the handling load with fair treatment of players who are out for valid injury reasons. Outstanding times should go unnoticed due to circumstances beyond a player’s control.
This strict procedure may exclude deserving players from any recognition. For example, a player who posts MVP-caliber performances but plays only 64 games—only because of injury—is still ineligible for selection to the MVP or All-NBA team.
The NBA should consider implementing a policy that considers games missed due to injuries, reducing the risk of unfair disqualification for players. Balancing fairness with the goal of reducing administrative load is important to ensure that this rule achieves its goals without causing undue hardship.
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Takeaways
– Ja Morant missed the game against the Spurs, bringing his total to 18 absents for the season.
– The 65 game rule was introduced to combat load management and encourage player availability.
– Morant remains eligible for the All-Star Game despite his ineligibility for regular season awards.
– Luka Dončić is also facing the implications of this new rule after his injuries.
– The NBA could review the rule to better account for injuries and ensure fairness.
This situation raises an important debate on how the NBA will handle player losses, seeking to balance the need for competition with the recognition of individual talent. Considering the future of these rules could affect coaching choices and team strategy throughout the season.
- Source image(s) : lastwordonsports.com
- Source: https://lastwordonsports.com/basketball/2025/01/19/ja-morant-becomes-ineligible-nba-awards/