NBA Will Test One Free Throw Rule During Upcoming 2026 NBA Summer Leagues
The National Basketball Association is always looking into new ways and game changes in order to hopefully make matchups more exciting and run smoother. Well, the league believes there is one idea that could improve the landscape surrounding free throws. On Thursday, it was revealed that the NBA will test the one free throw rule during the upcoming 2026 NBA Summer Leagues.
Truth be told, this isn’t really new. If you have ever attended a G League game you’ve already seen this rule in action. It’s been around and implemented for a little over half a decade.
Nevertheless, the league released an official statement and announcement regarding this summer’s one free throw testing. Via the NBA Public Communications page the Association mentioned,
“The one free throw rule will be tested at the upcoming NBA summer leagues.
With this rule, any foul that would typically result in one, two or three free throws under standard NBA rules will instead result in a single free throw attempt. That attempt will be worth the same total number of points as the free throws it replaces.
Standard NBA free throw rules will apply during the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and throughout overtime.”
This could potentially lead to some unhappiness for basketball fans. Under the current system, a free throw player could miss one or all attempts; thus affecting the score. Rewarding all points on just one make completely changes this scenario. Or doesn’t allow players to add to the lead by making the second or third attempt (depending on the foul).
Part of the thrill is seeing how the “stress” affects players. Can they knock down all the shots when the game is on the line? Losing this aspect could eliminate some of fun in highly competitive games as well as situations.
NBA Will Test One Free Throw Rule During Upcoming 2026 NBA Summer Leagues
Nonetheless, testing is set to move full steam ahead this year. The feedback received will help decide whether or not the “one free throw rule” should officially become part of the makeup of the game.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the one free throw attempt. The top three things the league wants fans to remember:
When free throws are awarded, one free throw worth one, two or three points will be attempted.
The NBA G League has used this rule since the 2019-20 season to improve game flow.
Standard NBA free throw rules apply in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and during overtime.
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