The new NBA Summer League rule that changes how players shoot
The NBA Summer League lands in Las Vegas with a new rule regarding the recording of last-second shots.
The NBA’s 2025 Summer League tips off this Thursday in Las Vegas. The competition is designed to give players a chance to prove themselves and earn a spot on their team’s final 15-man roster for the upcoming season.
This year, the league is introducing a new rule aimed at encouraging last-second shot attempts. Missed long-range shots at the end of quarters will now count only toward team and overall field goal percentages—not a player’s individual stats. The goal is to eliminate the fear of hurting personal shooting averages and motivate players to take buzzer-beating heaves.
For a shot to be classified as a heave under the new rule, it must meet three criteria:
- It must be taken within the final three seconds of any of the first three quarters.
- The shot must come from at least 11 meters away.
- The attempt must originate from the backcourt. If all three conditions are met, the missed shot won’t count against the player’s individual shooting stats.
The change addresses a long-standing issue: players often avoid late-quarter heaves to protect their percentages. By removing that disincentive, the NBA hopes to see more dramatic buzzer-beaters, adding excitement and tension to games.
The rule will be tested during Summer League and could be implemented in the regular season if successful. It’s the only major change this year. The Summer League will feature all 30 NBA teams, each playing at least five games. After the first four matchups, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs.
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