Unsuccessful long-distance shots at the end of quarters—commonly called “heaves”—will now count only against a team’s field goal percentage, not the individual player’s stats. This adjustment is designed to encourage players to attempt last-second, long-range shots without fear of hurting their personal shooting averages.

Criteria for a Shot to Be Classified as a "Heave"

For a shot to qualify as a heave under the new rule, all of the following must apply:

• The attempt occurs within the final three seconds of the first three quarters.
• The shot is launched from at least 36 feet away (beyond the center circle extended).
• The play starts in the backcourt.

If these conditions are met, a missed heave will be recorded as a team missed field goal, not an individual miss.

Reason for the Change

This rule was introduced because players have often hesitated to take low-percentage, long-range shots at the end of quarters to protect their shooting percentages. The NBA hopes that by removing the individual statistical penalty, players will be more willing to attempt buzzer-beater shots, potentially leading to more dramatic moments for fans.

The NBA is using the Summer League as a testing ground for this rule, following similar experiments in the G League. The league has not committed to bringing this rule to the regular season, but its performance in Summer League play will likely influence future decisions.

Aside from the new heave rule, the 2025 NBA Summer League maintains its usual structure, with all 30 teams participating in Las Vegas from July 10–20. Each team will play at least five games, and the top four teams after the first four games will advance to the playoffs.