New Rule Aims to Encourage Buzzer Beaters

In an effort to revitalize the excitement surrounding buzzer-beating shots, the NBA is set to implement a new rule during the 2025-26 regular season that affects how end-of-period heaves are recorded. According to renowned sports journalist Shams Charania, the league's Competition Committee has unanimously backed this change.

Clarifications on Field-Goal Attempts

The new rule stipulates that any buzzer-beater attempt at the end of a quarter will be recorded as a missed field-goal attempt for the team, but crucially, it will not count against the individual player's field-goal attempts. This move is designed to empower more players to take these high-risk shots without the fear of adversely affecting their shooting percentages.

This shift aims to encourage creativity and audacity in the final moments of each quarter, potentially leading to more thrilling moments for fans. The league hopes that by alleviating the pressure on shooters, we may see an increase in attempts and, consequently, more memorable highlights.

As the season approaches, fans and players alike will be eagerly awaiting the implementation of this exciting new rule, which promises to add yet another layer of intrigue to the game we love.