The NBA is introducing a significant change during this year’s Summer League. The ‘one free throw rule’ will be tested at events in Salt Lake City, Northern California, and Las Vegas. This rule, already in use by the G League since the 2019-20 season, aims to make the game faster.
Experiment Details
The rule involves a single free throw being awarded for fouls that would traditionally result in one, two, or three free throws. This attempt carries the equivalent point value of the replaced free throws. However, this rule will not apply in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter or during overtime, where standard free-throw rules will be observed.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks takes a free throw against the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA Finals on June 13, 2026. (Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
Proving Ground for New Rules
It remains uncertain if this rule will be implemented in regular NBA games. The Summer League often serves as a testing ground for new rules that may eventually become permanent. Past examples include the coach’s challenge, the adjustment of the shot clock to 14 seconds after an offensive rebound, and the one-shot rule for a transition take foul.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs during a foul shot against the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The G League also uses 10-minute quarters, a format NBA Commissioner Adam Silver supports. The NBA previously tested 11-minute quarters in a preseason game, and exhibition games before the “bubble” in 2020 featured 10-minute quarters.
The Summer League kicks off on July 9.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a free throw during the NBA playoffs in 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP)
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