NBA to test new free-throw rule, basketball sensor in summer league games
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The NBA will implement the “one free throw rule” in its summer league games across Las Vegas, California, and Salt Lake City, where fouls that usually result in multiple free throws will instead result in a single attempt worth the equivalent points.
- This rule aims to speed up the pace of games and will not apply during the final two minutes of regulation or overtime; it has been used in the G League since the 2019-20 season.
- The league will also test a connected basketball with an embedded sensor to assist officiating by detecting ball contact, without altering the ball’s weight or feel.
- Summer leagues continue to serve as a testing ground for potential NBA rule changes, with past successful trials including the “transition take foul” and the coach’s challenge system.
- The summer league schedule includes three events: the California Classic starting July 5, the Salt Lake City Summer League featuring top draft picks on July 6, and the Las Vegas Summer League with all 30 teams from July 9 to 19.
