Reporting for NBA Today on the 65-game award challenges approved for Lakers star Luka Doncic and Pistons star Cade Cunningham -- and a statement from Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards' business manager on his challenge being denied:

Statement from Edwards' business manager Justin Holland: "Anthony and I appreciate the PA appealing his case. For me personally, I'm a bit confused at the clemency for Cade who missed time for something that happened on the court, and not Ant, who missed time for an infection, but ultimately you already know Ant isn't trippin over it AT ALL. "He was mad he didn't get to 65, but not because he missed out on awards, he was mad because it meant he didn't get to play in all 82 - which is what he always tries to do for his teammates and fans. "You know the only thing he wants is a ring!"

Luka & Cade get the extraordinary circumstances pass but Ant's knee soreness doesn't count? So the rule only bends for certain injuries and excuses? When does this 65-game nonsense finally get scrapped entirely?

Bum ass luka is a regular season player

Luka got cleared for flying home to see his baby born but Ant got denied for an infection he couldn’t control 😭 the 65 game rule needs a full rework because this inconsistency is not it 💀🏀

Cade first team all nba 🕺

The league finally applied common sense for Luka and Cade. Injuries should not ruin a historic season. It is unfortunate for Ant, but establishing this precedent for extraordinary circumstances is exactly what the NBA desperately needed to protect its elite talent

So the rule stands… until it doesn’t? Yeah, this is going to be debated all season.

Rigged

So the 65 game rule is now 65 games, unless your case feels compelling enough? That’s how you kill consistency

league office finally getting something right with these rulings

Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham fighting the system and winning… meanwhile Anthony Edwards sent a whole appeal just to get hit with “seen” 😭😂

NBA really bending rules for Luka’s vacation and Cade’s lung but Ant’s infection ain’t “extraordinary”? Rigged asf

So the NBA really sat down and said Yes, let’s explain why Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham are special cases but Anthony Edwards just has to hold that L.

Why make a rule to just not follow it

Luka and Cade getting approved while Ant gets denied makes the rule feel less objective and more case-by-case politics

Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham get exceptions. Anthony Edwards gets denied. Same rule. Different outcomes. What exactly are we judging here? 🤔

Luka and Cade getting exceptions while Ant gets denied just proves this was always going to be subjective, not strict policy.

Ant's challenge got denied but Luka and Cade got approved 😭 the NBA really said not today for Anthony Edwards 😂 his team go argue this one till next season 👀

Just like every other rule in this dumb league, they're meant to be applied selectively in order to prop up the "stars". Considering Ant's whistle on the court, he's being excluded from that group.

Three stars. Three challenges. Three different outcomes. That's not a policy. That's a negotiation. The 65-game threshold was designed to reward availability and punish load management. Noble idea. But the moment you allow challenges, you've already admitted the rule has room for interpretation. And in the NBA, room for interpretation always favours the loudest voices in the room. Edwards got denied. That answer deserves a public explanation, not a statement buried in a broadcast segment.

Free antman ❗️❗️❗️

@a_akanbi68870 The 65-game rule claims another star. Credit to Luka and Cade for winning their appeals – keeps the awards race legit. Edwards’ camp clearly disagrees with the denial. This threshold is changing how teams manage stars, for better or worse.

Same rule, three stars, two get the green light for family/medical emergencies while Ant gets punished for whatever his case was, and that contrast is why players say the 65-game policy still feels arbitrary despite the NBPA’s carve-outs.

Luka & Cade get the extraordinary circumstances pass but Ant's knee soreness doesn't count? So the rule only bends for certain injuries and excuses? When does this 65-game nonsense finally get scrapped entirely?

Luka is the most undeserving out of the 3

Luka getting special privileges. Shouldn’t be allowed to make all nba

Can we make a deal that you always put the word "reporting" in quotes when discussing your work? Thanks so much.

You can respect the process while still questioning the logic. The whole point of the 65-game rule is accountability, but once exceptions start getting approved, the league has to clearly explain why some cases qualify and others don’t. Still, credit to Anthony Edwards for keeping the focus on winning,because ultimately, championships define legacies more than awards.

@eiveyonx As they should

Joker is the real mvp so this doesn't matter. SGA and Luka are what people dislike about the NBA. Joker is what they love

Jaylen Brown 1000% deserves 1st Team All NBA. He has been leading the Temu Celtics in a gap year and he deserves to be recognized. Move Cade to 2nd Team.

Luka Doncic swiping every forward awards available for grabs

The 65-game rule was always going to end up in a courtroom argument. You can't create an award threshold and not expect stars, agents, and front offices to fight over every game logged. Doncic and Cunningham get their challenge heard. Edwards doesn't. That inconsistency is the story. The NBA sets rules. Then bends them selectively. And wonders why nobody trusts the process. 🎯

Statement from Edwards' business manager Justin Holland: "Anthony and I appreciate the PA appealing his case. For me personally, I'm a bit confused at the clemency for Cade who missed time for something that happened on the court, and not Ant, who missed time for an infection, but ultimately you already know Ant isn't trippin over it AT ALL. "He was mad he didn't get to 65, but not because he missed out on awards, he was mad because it meant he didn't get to play in all 82 - which is what he always tries to do for his teammates and fans. "You know the only thing he wants is a ring!"

@Itz_Regal Luka gets the “new dad pass” for 2 missed games and Cade battles back from a collapsed lung… both approved 🔥 But Edwards? “Nah” NBA finally using common sense on real life stuff instead of load management excuses. Respect. Who’s MVP favorite now tho? 👀