The NBA has made it easier for players to take long shots as the clock counts down to the end of a quarter, thanks to a new statistical rule, approved by the league during its most recent board meeting.

With this rule, players are now able to take these long shots without worrying about how it will impact their shooting percentages. This comes as a response to a trial conducted during this year’s Summer League in Las Vegas, as well as other smaller leagues.

From now on, any shot attempted within the last three seconds of the first three quarters, taken from at least 36 feet and initiated in the backcourt, will be counted as a team shot attempt but not as an individual one.

This modification intends to motivate players to make those last-second, dramatic long-range heaves. Previously, many players hesitated to attempt these shots for fear of damaging their individual stats.

For instance, last season, approximately 4% of such attempts went in when players fired from this distance. Notably, Stephen Curry made four successful long shots under these parameters, while Nikola Jokic scored three.

In addition to the new heave rule, the NBA is also revising the structure of the NBA Cup, expected to begin in the 2026-27 season. The league will implement changes to coach’s challenges to help speed up review times, aiming for a more efficient decision-making process during games.