NBA Adopts LeBron-Inspired Rule to Fix Buzzer-Beater “Stat Killer”

The NBA has officially introduced a new statistical rule for Summer League games, and it’s one that players — and fans — have wanted for years.

Heaves No Longer Hurt Stats

Missed shots from beyond 36 feet in the final three seconds of the first three quarters will now count as team field goal attempts, not individual misses. The change only applies to heaves from the backcourt, but it removes the biggest reason players avoided last-second buzzer-beaters.

Now, stars can launch those deep prayers without worrying about tanking their shooting percentage.

Straight Out of LeBron’s Playbook

The idea comes straight from LeBron James, who recently suggested on his Mind the Game podcast with JJ Redick that the NBA use Summer League and G League as “test beds” for experimental tweaks. Even at nearly 41, LeBron’s influence on league policy remains undeniable.

Fans React: “Finally!”

Social media lit up with praise: “Love this rule,” one fan posted. Another added, “Bout time.”

The rule is limited to Summer League for now, but if it sticks, the regular season could see more buzzer-beater drama from sharpshooters like Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic.

During Summer League, the NBA is testing a rule where missed half-court heaves at the end of quarters won’t hurt a player’s stats.

We should see way more buzzer-beaters in the near future. Love this rule. pic.twitter.com/968HMVze14

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 5, 2025