The National Basketball Association (NBA) is set to experiment with a one free-throw rule during the 2026 Summer League in the United States this month. Under this policy, a player who is fouled will attempt only one free throw. If the shot is made, it will be worth either two or three points, depending on where the foul occurred.
Standard Rules Apply in Final Minutes
During the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime, standard free-throw rules will still apply. Typically, a player fouled inside the two-point line takes two free throws, while a foul beyond the three-point arc results in three attempts.
The one free-throw rule has been used in the developmental G League since the 2019-20 season to increase game pace. However, it remains unclear whether the NBA will implement it for the regular season.
Public Backlash Against Commissioner Adam Silver
The announcement drew negative reactions from fans, with many criticizing NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. One netizen called the rule "terrible," claiming it could "kill the sport." Another said no one asked for a change in free-throw policy and questioned why the league's top management altered it.
A third fan argued that the existing rule was not broken and did not need replacement. Another NBA supporter expressed dismay, noting that a three-point foul would now result in only a single free throw, instead of the usual three attempts.
