The NBA's new Summer League rule ensures that long end-of-quarter heaves won't count against individual players' shooting percentages, aiming to encourage more last-second shot attempts.
The NBA has introduced a new rule for 2025 Summer League games that changes how end-of-quarter heaves will be recorded in the box score.
Under this rule, any shot classified as a "heave" will count toward a team's field goal percentage but will not be charged to an individual player's stats.
For a shot to qualify as a heave, it must meet three criteria: it has to be taken from at least 36 feet (≈11 meters) away, launched within the final three seconds of the first three quarters, and the play must begin in the backcourt.
This tweak addresses a common scenario where players often hesitate to attempt long, low-percentage shots because they don't want a miss to negatively impact their personal shooting statistics.
By removing the individual penalty, the league aims to encourage more last-second attempts rather than letting the clock run out.
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