It’s not often that the NBA makes rule changes that fans actually enjoy, but this newest one may do just that.
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the NBA has decided to implement a new rule where end-of-period Hail Mary-like heaves will no longer count against a player’s shooting percentage. It will instead count against the team’s overall percentage. This is reportedly part of an effort to encourage more long-range shots.
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“The NBA will implement a new change for the 2025-26 season: unsuccessful end-of-period heaves will now be recorded as a missed field-goal attempt for the team, not the player, sources tell ESPN. Those long heaves will no longer impact an individual player’s percentages,” Charania wrote on X.
“So expect even more long-range shots from players this season, which was behind motivation of the change and the league testing it at Summer League in July. The Competition Committee has been in support of the adjustment in recent months too.”
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Excitement
NBA fans were pretty excited by the idea of seeing way more full-court heaves. While those throws have an exceptionally low percentage, fans are anticipating a few highlights throughout the year:
“This is cool I expect to see a lot more highlights of long range shots,” one user remarked.
“So we’re about to see half-court heaves like it’s NBA Street Vol. 2,” another wrote.
“Finally, freedom to launch from half-court without killing your stats. Let it fly!” a third declared.
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DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets speaks with media after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
Others were dismissive of the move, pointing out flaws in the rule and calling it a “soft” way of simply letting players pad their stats.
“Players are so weak for this just take the (expletive) shot.”
“That’s soft. FG% doesn’t really matter. If end-of-period missed shots are going to be recorded as team stats, made shots should be as well. The players shouldn’t get credit for those points.”
“Basically, NBA players complained because of their FG% and the league catered to them like they always do. This literally makes no sense any other way. By this same logic, they shouldn’t have the points awarded to them if they do make it.”
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You can’t please everybody, but the NBA is certainly taking a step to make the players happier – and more willing to take cool shots.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.