Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell and Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis are now ineligible for NBA awards this season. Mitchell missed his 18th game for Cleveland on Monday night vs the Phoenix Suns. Porzingis missed his 18th game for Boston on Monday night at the Portland Trail Blazers.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement, players can miss no more than 17 games (with some exceptions) and remain eligible to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player, as well as being named to the All-NBA or All-Defensive teams.
Joel Embiid is the highest profile player who is also ineligible, but the list continues to grow. Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Kristaps Porzingis, Julius Randle and Bradley Beal are some notable players who are also ineligible. Karl-Anthony Towns and Trae Young will likely join this list soon, as well.