The NBA has agreed to consider Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham eligible for the end-of-season awards. Both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons stars filed their appeals after finishing the season with 64 games each. 

The NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) had appealed on behalf of both players. After the league accepted the appeal, the Lakers star issued a statement thanking the association and the league for their consideration. 

“I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision,” Doncic wrote in the post. 

Doncic missed two games in December while traveling to Slovenia for the birth of his second daughter. The league accepted Doncic’s appeal under "Extraordinary Circumstances."

“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."

Doncic led the Lakers to a winning record and led the league in scoring for the second time in his career. He was also one of the top five MVP candidates throughout the season, and he made sure to acknowledge his teammates amid the news.

“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.” 

The Slovenian star made five consecutive All-NBA First Team selections for five consecutive years after his rookie year. However, his streak was broken last season, when he missed 32 of 82 games due to injury. This year, Doncic has the numbers and the intangibles to back up his case for his sixth selection. 

However, the key question surrounding him right now is his availability for the playoffs following a Grade 2 hamstring injury. 

Luka Doncic’s latest return timeline update gives Lakers hope

After Doncic’s injury was revealed following the MRI results, he was ruled out indefinitely. He was expected to be out for at least a month, and the Lakers are now significantly weaker heading into the playoffs. The narrative has still not changed, but there is some good news.  

According to Jovan Buha, a trip to Europe for special treatment has cut short the Luka Doncic return timeline. 

“(Doncic) has the shorter projected timetable, so yes, and he obviously went to Spain to get some treatment,” Buha said. “They’re hoping that they could shave off a few days, or even up to a week. So between [him and Austin Reaves], yes, Luka is expected back first.”

However, the Lakers have still not revealed a timeline for the return. Los Angeles will play its first four games within the next 11 days. Doncic and Reaves will not be evaluated until next week. Do you think the star duo will return if the Lakers can push the series?

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Siddharth Rawat