NBA Implements Key Rule Changes Ahead of 2025-26 Season

The NBA Board of Governors has officially approved a significant rule change for the 2025-26 season, aimed at expediting the coach's challenge process. According to a report from Andrew Greif of NBC News, the new guideline stipulates that during reviews of out-of-bounds violations, the replay center official will make the call on whether a proximate foul should have been flagged, a shift from the previous system where on-court crew chiefs held that responsibility.

This change comes after a unanimous recommendation from the NBA Competition Committee and the league office, promising to streamline the review process and potentially reduce delays during critical game moments.

Additional Rule Updates to Impact Future Seasons

In addition to the coach's challenge modification, the NBA also made headlines with its announcement regarding the NBA Cup semifinals, which will now be held as home games for the higher-seeded team in each conference beginning in the 2026-27 season. This marks a departure from the neutral-site agreements of previous years, including the upcoming season where Las Vegas will host both the semifinals and finals of the 2025-26 NBA Cup.

Furthermore, the league unveiled another intriguing rule: unsuccessful heaves at the end of quarters will count as missed field-goal attempts only for the team and not individual players. This adjustment is expected to encourage players to take more desperate shots as time expires, aiming to avoid negative impacts on their personal shooting percentages.

These changes highlight the NBA's commitment to evolving the game and enhancing the viewing experience while allowing players to act more freely without personal statistics overshadowing the team's performance.