NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared his thoughts on a much-talked-about new league rule implemented this season.

The league now mandates that players play 65 games per season to be eligible for major awards such as Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, or any of the All-NBA or All-Defensive teams.

"When it comes to injury data, we are constantly studying it... There is nothing more important than keeping our players on the floor," the 62-year-old executive said.

Silver also shared extensive discussions with the NBA Players Association, especially with acting executive director Andre Iguodala, on how to implement the rule properly without detriment to the players.

"Based on one season of data, we are happy with the 65-game rule," Silver added.

Several stars ineligible for NBA awards due to 65-game rule

The new rule affected several NBA stars, who missed out on accolades because they were sidelined for 18 games or more.

The most notable example is the then-reigning 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, who was a front-runner to win his second straight MVP award but was sidelined by a knee injury that kept him out of action for around two months.

Other stars who missed potential All-NBA and All-Defensive selections were Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.