NBA’s ‘heave rule’ will allow deep end-of-quarter shots without hurting player shooting percentages
September 10, 2025
NBA players can now shoot those long end-of-quarter heaves without hurting their shooting percentages. The league has approved a change in how these shots are recorded, finalized at the board of governors meeting on Wednesday. The rule was tested at Summer League in Las Vegas and smaller leagues in Utah and California. Shots taken in the final three seconds of the first three quarters from at least 36 feet away will count as team attempts, not individual ones. This change aims to encourage more players to take these long shots without worrying about their stats.