The NBA is testing a “one free throw” rule at this month’s Summer League events in Salt Lake City, Northern California and Las Vegas, aiming to speed up game play. Under the trial, fouls that normally lead to one, two or three free throws will instead result in a single free-throw attempt. The Japan Times reports that the one shot is valued so that it matches the total points that would have been awarded under the standard free-throw sequence.
The NBA’s use of Summer League and the G League as testing grounds is part of a broader pattern of experimenting with rules and formats before wider adoption. Yahoo Sports notes that the NBA G League has already used the “one free throw” rule since the 2019-20 season, indicating the league is drawing on prior experience from its developmental competition.
While the change is intended to reduce delays and potentially shorten games by a few minutes, the NBA is treating the Summer League adjustment as a trial rather than an immediate permanent rule change for regular-season play.
