What is the new NBA rule on end-of-period heaves? Changes explored

In recent years, the NBA has made numerous changes in hopes of improving the on-court product. Ahead of the 2025-26 season, reports emerged of a new alteration that is being made regarding statkeeping.

Due to the added emphasis on advanced analytics in the modern era, some parts of the game have taken a hit. With an increased focused on efficiency, players have been dettered from throwing up full-court heaves at the end of quarters.

According to recent news, the league might have found a solution for this issue.

On Wednesday afternoon, insider Shams Charania reported on the NBA's latest rule change. Moving forward, end of quarter heaves will now only be recorded as a made or missed attempt for the team, not the player.

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With this rule change, players will be more incentivized to shoot these long-distance shots before time expires. Some guys still shoot such shots, but wait until after the buzzer sounds so the miss doesn't impact their statistics.

Last season, the league experimented with this rule in the G-League. The research appeared to be positive, as the decision has been made to officially change the rules.

(This is a developing story and will be updated.)

About the author

Kevin McCormick is a basketball writer at Sportskeeda with over four years of experience in journalism and a bachelor's degree in Sports Management Marketing from Holy Family University.

Kevin has worked with various notable outlets throughout his career, including 97.3 ESPN, ClutchPoints, Heavy Sports, and Sports Illustrated/FanNation, before joining Sportskeeda in March 2022.

Specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage, Kevin's passion for basketball stems from his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Among his favorite players are Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, and Steph Curry, while his all-time favorites include Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Kevin holds Coach K in high regard for the large input he's had on the game helping mold players across multiple generations. Kevin believes the iconic rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson helped elevate the league to its current status.

Through his writing, Kevin provides in-depth analysis and insights into player and coach quotes. He prioritizes sourcing information from credible and reliable outlets.

Kevin enjoys reading, aiming to finish at least one book per month, and he is a big fan of music.

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Edited by Kevin McCormick