The NBA Summer League tipped off this Saturday, marking the beginning of what is typically a testing ground—not only for franchises evaluating rookies and young talent, but also for the league itself as it experiments with potential rule changes. This year, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is using the Summer League to trial a notable tweak related to end-of-quarter shot attempts.
The proposed change has been under discussion for some time. Observers have noted that players sometimes avoid launching full-court buzzer-beaters out of concern for how missed attempts might affect their field goal percentage. Beginning with the 2024–25 season, the league signaled a willingness to rethink how these desperation shots are reflected in box scores. A similar adjustment has already been applied in the G League, where any end-of-quarter shot taken from more than 36 feet during the first three quarters is no longer counted toward a player’s individual shooting stats.
On Saturday, the NBA issued a statement outlining the new protocol now in effect for all 2025 Summer League games. “As tested during the 2024–25 NBA G League season and in effect for all 2025 NBA summer leagues, an unsuccessful end-of-period ‘heave’ will be recorded as a team — not individual — missed field goal attempt when all of the following criteria are met,” read the league’s announcement.
According to the NBA’s official release, the criteria include: the shot must occur within the final three seconds of the first three quarters; it must be attempted from beyond the extended outer edge of the center circle—approximately 36 feet from the basket—and the play must originate in the backcourt.
This rule change represents a significant step in how statistical accountability is handled for low-probability, end-of-period attempts. By classifying these shots as team misses, rather than individual ones, the league hopes to remove the stigma that might deter players from attempting buzzer-beaters—thus preserving the competitive integrity of each possession.
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The adjustment was previously implemented during the most recent G League campaign and was generally well received by players and coaches. Its expansion into Summer League play indicates the NBA is seriously considering a permanent adoption across the board.
Saturday’s opening slate of games featured several high-profile matchups, including the Miami Heat facing the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Golden State Warriors, the Memphis Grizzlies going up against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Philadelphia 76ers squaring off with the Utah Jazz.
