Absent for a month, Victor Wembanyama has already missed 12 matches and can only miss 5 more to remain eligible for the end of season trophies. Another lesser-known point of the regulations is that he must also play at least 20 minutes of the matches in which he participates, but only remained on the floor for 17 minutes against the Washington Wizards on the night of Thursday to Friday.
To fight against load management, namely resting its stars while they are not injured, the NBA has introduced new regulations since the 2023-2024 season. In order to push teams to use their major players as much as possible, the League has decided that it is now necessary to have played at least 65 regular season games to be eligible for end-of-season trophies, which also applies to appearing in the All-NBA Teams and All-Defensive Teams.
Wembanyama can only miss 5 games
This had prevented Victor Wembanyama to be voted best defender last season and this could be the case again this year. Indeed, the Frenchman had to be absent for a month due to a calf injury. He made his return last weekend, after missing 12 games and can therefore only miss five to remain eligible for the end of season trophies.
Playing time also counts for end-of-season trophies.
However, there is another point of the regulation that is a little less known. As indicated by Mike Finger of San Antonio Express-Newsin addition to participating in at least 65 matches, you must also have spent at least 20 minutes on the court, with the exception of two matches where the playing time can be between 15 and 20 minutes. During the night from Thursday to Friday against the Washington Wizards (126-98), Victor Wembanyama was only used for 17 minutes and therefore burned one of his two jokers. Another threat that he will have to be vigilant about if he wants to win the title of best defender of the year, for which he is the big favorite.
