NBA to Test ‘One Free Throw Rule’ During Summer League

The NBA plans a significant change for this year’s Summer League. They announced that the ‘one free throw rule’ will be applied at events in Salt Lake City, Northern California, and Las Vegas this month. This rule aims to speed up gameplay and has been implemented by the G League since the 2019-20 season.

Here’s how it works: any foul that usually results in one, two, or three free throws will instead lead to a single free-throw attempt. This attempt will account for the total point value of the replaced free throws. Nonetheless, standard free-throw rules will apply for the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and all overtime periods.

“Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs takes a foul shot against the New York Knicks in Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.” (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

It’s uncertain if this rule will be introduced in regular NBA games. But the Summer League often tests rules that might later apply. For example, the coach’s challenge and resetting the shot clock to 14 seconds after offensive rebounds began in minor leagues before reaching the NBA. The same process occurred with the transition take foul rule.

The G League also uses 10-minute quarters, which NBA Commissioner Adam Silver supports. In fact, the NBA previously tested 11-minute quarters in a preseason game, and 10-minute quarters during exhibition games before the 2020 bubble.

The Summer League kicks off on July 9.