NBA’s New ‘Heave Rule’: A Game-Changer for Deep Ball Fans
Fans of high-flying basketball and audacious shots rejoice! The NBA has introduced a significant rule change that allows players to launch end-of-quarter heaves from beyond the arc without the fear of harming their shooting percentages. This exciting development means that any failed long-range shot taken with seconds to spare will only be recorded as a team shot attempt, not a personal miss for the player. Let’s dive deeper into this pivotal change and what it means for players and fans alike.
How to Watch
Excited to catch the NBA action? You can watch games on NBC and stream them on Peacock. With the league set to return, marking a season of new possibilities and electrifying play, fans quite literally have front-row seats to history in the making.
The Rule Change: What You Need to Know
Starting with the upcoming 2025/26 NBA season, a new ‘Heave Rule’ will permit players to attempt shots from at least 36 feet away from the basket within the last three seconds of the first three quarters. As long as the play begins in the backcourt, these long-distance attempts will be counted as team shots, alleviating the concern of negatively impacting personal shooting stats.
This adjustment follows an experimental phase during the Summer League in July, as well as various G-League games, signaling the league’s commitment to infusing more excitement into the game.
The Rationale Behind the ‘Heave Rule’
NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the league’s board of governors approved this innovative change to captivate new audiences and enhance the viewing experience. Historical attempts to tweak game formats have shown that the league isn’t afraid to explore fresh concepts. The dynamic nature of the league, especially in its closing moments, needed a spark, and the ‘Heave Rule’ aims to provide just that.
As players often hesitated to pull the trigger from deep out of fear of detrimental stats, this rule paves the way for even more thrilling plays. Last season, most players attempting such shots averaged a meager 4% shooting percentage. With the rule in place, expect more players to take risks, leaving the door open for potential game-changing moments.
Players to Watch
While many are eager to see who will take advantage of the ‘Heave Rule,’ a standout figure is undoubtedly Payton Pritchard from the Boston Celtics. Known for his fearless approach, Pritchard has already made headlines with his clutch shooting, hitting multiple half-court buzzer-beaters in the 2024 NBA Finals. His explosive style is sure to shine in the moments leading up to the buzzer, making him a player to watch as the season unfolds.
Pritchard himself acknowledges the thrill of those pivotal moments, describing it as a blur where instinct takes over. His enthusiasm for clutch shots demonstrates the kind of electric play the NBA hopes to ensure viewers will regularly experience moving forward.
The Excitement is Building
As the NBA gears up for its much-anticipated return to NBC and Peacock on October 21, fans can prepare for an exhilarating season filled with breathtaking moments. The upcoming season-opening double-header, featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Houston Rockets, followed by the Golden State Warriors at the Los Angeles Lakers, promises to showcase the explosive potential of the new ‘Heave Rule’.
A New Era of Basketball
The introduction of the ‘Heave Rule’ signifies a landmark shift in how basketball is played and perceived. With players encouraged to take those audacious shots, the league aims to create an atmosphere filled with suspense and excitement, reminiscent of the high-scoring, electrifying plays that fans crave. This is just the beginning; the landscape of NBA basketball is poised for thrilling evolution.