To combat star players sitting out, the NBA instituted a 65-game minimum for postseason award eligibility. With the influx of injuries to star players we’re seeing each year, this rule opens the door to other players winning awards in years they might not deserve them.

This season, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is starting to create some distance between himself and the other candidates. SGA is currently a -220 favorite with Nikola Jokic the only other player close by at +300.

Jokic is having an MVP-caliber season, generating career highs in both rebounds and assists. Unfortunately, after missing over a month with a knee injury, he can only miss one game and still be eligible for MVP. However, Jokic has been a bit of an ironman, playing fewer than 70 games only once prior in his career.

He only has a one-game buffer to stay eligible for MVP, but before the All-Star break, Gilgeous-Alexander went down with an abdominal strain. He’s going to be reevaluated after the break, so I’m assuming he won’t be out for too long, but abdominal issues can be tricky.

The Thunder can be on cruise control the rest of the season and still easily lock up a top-two seed in the West, so if this injury lingers, SGA could push the games missed limit as well. He’s already missed six games this year, so now might be a great time to bet on someone who’s a long shot to win the MVP.

Detroits Cade Cunningham has arrived on the scene this year as an All-NBA first team favorite. The Pistons have been the story of the season, shocking the league with the best winning percentage in the NBA at the All-Star break.

Cade does have an All-Star teammate in Jalen Duren, but this isn’t an incredibly deep Pistons roster. His ability to elevate everyone around him and turn this team into an NBA Finals contender is the most impressive thing happening in the league. He currently has the third-highest MVP odds with Luka Doncic, Jaylen Brown, and Victor Wembanyama trailing closely behind.

Wemby and Doncic are close to the limit for missed games, and they could also be in similar situations as the favorites, real soon. Jaylen Brown or even Donovan Mitchell are two other guys to keep in mind as long shots, especially if they can figure out how to chase down the Pistons before the season ends.

Nevertheless, if Cade, Mitchell, and Brown stay healthy, the narrative surrounding the Pistons far outweighs anything from the Celtics and definitely the Cavs. The counting stats might not be the most impressive for Cunningham, but I’m not sure any player is more vital to his team’s success than he is, and isn’t that exactly what an MVP should be?

SGA might miss minimal time due to his injury; however, if this issue lingers, you can buy Cade MVP stock for pennies on the dollar.

We are a few months away from WrestleMania and two weeks away from Elimination Chamber. Despite the excitement in the air from the WWE Universe, there is growing frustration internally as the WM card has been tough to navigate for the creative team. 

Reports suggest Triple H does not have a concrete plan for the WM. As of this writing, there’s one match announced for the “Showcase of Immortals.” CM Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns, who won the Royal Rumble. The showcase between two future Hall of Fame players will headline one night of WM. This will be Reigns’ tenth main event in WrestleMania history, cementing his legacy even further. Look for these two to put on a clinic, but what about the rest of the card? Here are five matches I believe will take place at WM.

A Fatal-Four Way for the Undisputed Championship

WWE, we do not want or need another singles match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre of any kind. Having Rhodes win the Elimination Chamber match and choose would result in a sigh from the WWE Universe. I have a solution for that, which is to add two more superstars to the mix. The first one is Jacob Fatu, who has been wreaking havoc in the main event scene since returning to the blue brand months ago. The second one would be Sami Zayn, who fell short against Drew in Saudi Arabia at the Royal Rumble. During the main event of SmackDown, the Undisputed Champion interfered in hopes of deterring Cody from winning. That did not work, and it looks like we are headed towards the fifteenth (feels like it) match between the two. Having it as a fatal four-way for the title is something new and fresh that keeps the animosity alive between all competitors.

A Multi-Tag Team Ladder Match for the Women’s Tag Team Titles

This seems like a no-brainer given how stacked the division is. Throw in a ladder to climb and retrieve the belts, and this could be a match to steal the show. Have Rhea/Iyo face the Bella Twins, Charlotte/Alexa, Lash/Nia, and Bayley/Lyra. This would feature plenty of female superstars on the card and add some ample time; it could be a recipe for success.

Bianca Belair vs Jade Cargill for the Women’s World Title

This is all contingent on Belair making her return before WrestleMania, but this match would be electric. Reports suggest Triple H is still uncertain who Jade will face at WM, so why not be Bianca Belair? Belair has been out with a finger injury since last year’s Mania, and could miss out this time, though if Belair is healthy, these two would most certainly put on a show for the crowd.

Dominik Mysterio vs Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental Championship

Like the previous match, this all depends on whether Chris Jericho returns to WWE before WM. He is still under contract with AEW, but it ends soon. As for the IC champ, Dominik has also been dealing with a shoulder injury as of late. In the case we could make this a reality, the promo battle between these two would be epic, as Mysterio would get heel heat instantly. Jericho would likely lose this match, but having him back on WWE soil would be awesome.

“El Original” Grande Americano vs El Grande Americano in a Mask vs Mask match

Who would have thought a Mask vs Mask match would be so intriguing in 2026? Well, that is what happens when two superstars with the same gimmick collide at ‘Mania. It is believed that Chad Gable is “El Original” Grande Americano, while Ludvig Kaiser is portraying El Grande Americano. When Gable was put on the shelf with an injury, Kaiser took over his gimmick and ran with it. One memorable moment in the Royal Rumble was when Gable returned with his gimmick and went face-to-face with Kaiser. Now, the two are likely headed toward a mask vs mask match. Whoever loses might face the consequences and get a rebrand after the ‘Mania season is over.

These are just five matches WWE could consider for their biggest event of the year. Whether or not they happen is anyone’s guess, but it would give them momentum. Let’s hope Triple H and the creative team can deliver this year.