The NBA might be taking a page out of Major League Baseball’s playbook by shortening games with rule changes.
The league announced Thursday that it would be implementing a ‘one free throw rule’ during its annual Summer League.
The rule, which has been used in the NBA G League since the 2019-20 season, dictates that any foul worth two or three points will result in one free throw attempt worth its respective amount of points.
For example, if a player is fouled on a three-point jump shot which does not go in, that player will shoot only one free throw shot worth three points if made.
The rule does not apply in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter or in overtime. The free-throw process goes back to standard NBA rules at that time.
This rule is meant to “improve game flow” the NBA added in its announcement.