Anthony Edwards is facing one of the most significant setbacks of his NBA career, and it has nothing to do with his on-court performance. The Minnesota Timberwolves star has been ruled ineligible for NBA postseason awards, including the prestigious All-NBA team, due to the league's controversial 65-game threshold requirement. According to multiple reports from CBS Sports and ABC News, Edwards fell short of this benchmark after being ruled out against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night with a right knee injury and illness. He had played in 59 games, but only 58 counted toward the league's eligibility record, and with Minnesota having just six games remaining in the regular season, he cannot mathematically reach the 65-game mark.
What makes this particularly frustrating for Edwards is the timing and circumstances. The Athletic reported that one game—his absence against Detroit—is what ultimately pushed him out of awards eligibility. This comes after Edwards had already missed six games earlier in the season due to his right knee ailment. He did return briefly, scoring 17 points in 23 minutes against Dallas before being sidelined again. According to Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, illness was the primary factor keeping Edwards out of the Detroit matchup.
The real sting here goes beyond just missing All-NBA honors, though that's significant enough. Missing All-NBA has direct financial implications for Edwards. According to CBS Sports, when supermax eligibility is determined, a player needs to make All-NBA either in the most recent season or in two of the previous three seasons. However, Edwards already has two All-NBA selections in his career, so he'll need to make it again next season to ensure his supermax eligibility remains intact. This adds another layer of urgency to his recovery.
Despite the injuries limiting his availability, Edwards has been putting up career numbers. According to ABC News, he's averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game this season. He was also finishing seventh in MVP voting in each of the last two seasons, demonstrating his elite status in the league. The four-time All-Star won't play 70-plus games as he has in each of his first five seasons, marking a significant departure from his early-career durability.
The situation has sparked debate about whether the NBA's 65-game rule is too rigid. Commentators and analysts are questioning whether Commissioner Adam Silver's eligibility requirements have become counterproductive.
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