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Players felt relief after 2025 rule change. The NBA’s board of governors finalized a tweak on Sep. 10 that will stop end-of-quarter heaves from counting against individual shooting percentages starting the 2025-26 season. League officials say any shot launched from at least 36 feet with under 3 seconds left in the first three quarters will register as a team attempt, not a player attempt. That small scoring tweak could change who launches desperation shots-and how stars protect their numbers. Could this make more heaves and fewer stat-managed passes?
How the 2025 heave rule changes player stats and choices this season
• NBA approved the change Sep. 10, 2025; team attempts now record heaves.
• Shots taken from 36 feet in final 3 seconds count as team, not player.
• Tracking shows those attempts hit ~4% historically; more attempts expected.
Why the timing of this 2025 rule change matters this week
The league signed off days before training camps opened, so teams and players enter the season with a new late-quarter incentive. Coaches who previously benched star shooters to protect percentages now face different lineup calls. Media-day narratives will pivot from “protecting numbers” to “who will throw the hero heave,” and betting markets could price in more desperation shots. You should care if you watch box scores, bet margins, or follow player splits this year.
Who’s reacting to the heave rule this week, and why opinions split
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Some front offices welcomed the change as a fix to stat-driven behavior, while analytics staffers warned of noise in team-level metrics. Broadcasters called it a small but meaningful nudge toward entertaining end-of-quarter play. Fans who value pure entertainment cheered; stat-focused followers worry new team-attempt totals will complicate individual comparisons. Which side are you on when a 50-footer becomes a team stat instead of a personal scar?
What the early numbers reveal about end-of-quarter heaves in 2025
SportRadar tracking shows heaves from 36+ feet in the final three seconds resulted in makes about 4% of the time last season. Star examples: Stephen Curry made four such shots; Nikola Jokić made three. Testing this rule at Summer League suggested players were hesitant to launch those low-odds attempts when their FG% was at stake.
The numbers that change the game in 2025 according to trackers
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Heave make rate | 4% made | Very low success, high spectacle |
| Minimum heave distance | 36 feet | Threshold to trigger team stat rule |
| Applicable window | 3 seconds | First three quarters only |
These figures show the rule shifts late-shot responsibility from individuals to teams.
What will this stat change mean for shooters and fans in 2025?
Expect more audacious heaves and fewer players hiding from desperation shots; box-score narratives change. Coaches may use end-of-quarter possessions for practice in-game, and highlight reels could get bolder. But will teams abuse the rule to game stat sheets or will fans simply enjoy flashier finishes? Which outcome do you want to see this season?
Sources
- https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46217260/long-end-quarter-shots-count-nba-teams-not-players
- https://www.nba.com/2025-26-season-preview
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.