Lakers G Luka Doncic (64 games played) and Pistons G Cade Cunningham (63 games played) were some of the best players in the NBA during the regular season, but they finished under the 65-game threshold to be eligible for NBA season awards.
Both players filed an extraordinary circumstances challenge for the 65-game rule, as Luka missed two games for the birth of his daughter in Slovenia, while Cunningham just missed 12 games from a collapsed lung. The Association agreed to both appeals, making each superstar guard eligible for 2025-26 NBA season awards.
With that said, will Doncic and Cunningham make All-NBA teams? How else could two of the league’s best guards impact NBA awards predictions on PrizePicks Team Picks?
Make your picks for NBA awards on PrizePicks now.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Will Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham Make All-NBA Teams?
Alongside Luka and Cade, Timberwolves SG Anthony Edwards (60 games played) also sent in an extraordinary circumstances challenge, but his request was denied. Still, Doncic and Cunningham could still make major impacts on All-NBA teams.
Luka was vital for the Lakers with a league-leading 36.8% usage rate, per NBA Advanced Stats. While Doncic’s latest injury update suggests he could miss time in the NBA Playoffs, his regular-season impact is undeniable.
In fact, Luka led the league with 33.5 points per game (PPG), paired with an efficient 47.6% field goal percentage. He stuffed the stat sheet with 7.7 rebounds per game (RPG) and 8.3 assists per game (APG). Doncic has become a no-brainer to make first team All-NBA, holding a 33.33x payout for “No” to make the All-NBA first team on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Unlike Luka, debate surrounds Cunningham’s chances of making the first team. Here’s a look at his payouts to make first team All-NBA:
- First Team All-NBA: Yes 1.51x | No 2.32x
Backed by a 29.6% usage rate, the former No. 1 pick helped guide the Pistons to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Cunningham finished the regular season with 23.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 9.9 APG (second-most), while shooting an efficient 46.1% from the field.
Luka and Cunningham’s eligibility may have truly altered the pecking order for the All-NBA first team. Which players were impacted by the shift?
Make your NBA awards predictions on PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money — available in 35 states!
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Luka, Cunningham Impact on NBA Awards Predictions
Before we dive back into the potential All-NBA teams, Doncic and Cunningham are unlikely to impact the MVP race. PrizePicks Team Picks currently tabs Thunder G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the clear favorite, carrying a 1.01x payout to win the award. Meanwhile, Doncic and Cunningham each sport a 33.33x payout for the MVP award.
The two may have spoiled Clippers F Kawhi Leonard and Celtics SG Jaylen Brown’s first-team campaigns, though. Leonard now has a 33.33x payout for “Yes” to make the first team.
Brown, who posted 28.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 5.1 APG in the regular season, still holds a decent shot of appearing on the All-NBA first team.
- First Team All-NBA: Yes 2.32x | No 1.51x
- Second Team All-NBA: Yes 1.31x | No 2.43x
Cunningham has a 2.08x payout to make the second team, while Luka is 22.22x to do so. If Brown still finds a way to make first team All-NBA, Cunningham will likely be the player booted down to the second team.
If Brown falls short, he could have a chance for revenge in the NBA Playoffs. The Celtics are the favorite to win the Eastern Conference, and that may require taking down the No. 1 seed Pistons.
Cunningham (4.76x) and Brown (4.76x) are tied for the second-shortest payout to win Eastern Conference Finals MVP. With Doncic battling injuries and the Lakers holding the No. 5 seed, Luka has a 33.33x payout to win Western Conference Finals MVP.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Make NBA Awards Predictions on PrizePicks
With Doncic and Cunningham now eligible for 2025-26 NBA awards, both players could be on track to appear on the All-NBA first team. Leonard and Brown could be the two players left out, leading to All-NBA second team honors.
Don’t wait until lock — make your NBA awards picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
Stay locked in on Playbook for daily NBA predictions, picks, and news every day all the way through the 2026 NBA Finals.
