The upcoming change in the NBA’s statistical recording for the 2025-26 season represents a significant shift in how certain types of shots, specifically end-of-period heaves, are accounted for. Traditionally, these shots—often desperate attempts taken as the clock expires at the end of a quarter, half, or game—have been recorded as missed field-goal attempts for the individual players who took them. This new rule will instead record unsuccessful end-of-period heaves as missed attempts for the team, rather than attributing them to any particular player. This adjustment might seem subtle on the surface, but it carries substantial implications for player statistics, team analytics, game strategy, and even the narrative surrounding players’ performances.
For years, the heave at the end of a period has been a part of basketball’s spectacle. These shots are usually long-distance, low-percentage attempts thrown up as time expires, with the hope—often a slim one—that the ball will find its way through the basket. Fans and analysts have often viewed them as little more than last-ditch efforts, sometimes even celebrated when successful because of their difficulty and timing. However, from a statistical standpoint, these heaves have historically been problematic. They have unfairly skewed individual player shooting percentages downward, as the chances of making such a shot are incredibly low. Even great shooters see their percentages take a hit when these shots miss, which they often do. By removing these attempts from individual statistics, the NBA is acknowledging that these shots are not reflective of a player’s typical skill or shooting ability.
This change will have a meaningful impact on the way shooting percentages are calculated. Shooting percentages, especially field-goal percentage and three-point percentage, are key metrics used to evaluate players. They influence everything from coaching decisions and player evaluations to contract negotiations and fan perceptions. Before this rule, a player who routinely took these heaves might see their stats unfairly impacted, which could lead to criticism or undervaluation. Now, since these attempts will be assigned to the team rather than the player, players can maintain more accurate individual shooting metrics that better reflect their true ability and typical shot selection.
Moreover, this adjustment will likely affect player strategies around the end of periods. Previously, players might have been reluctant to take these heaves knowing that a miss would harm their shooting stats. This change could encourage more willingness to launch these desperation shots without fear of personal statistical damage. While these shots are often decided more by the clock and game situation than by desire, players might be more open to taking them as a team responsibility rather than an individual burden. This could subtly shift how players approach those final seconds and perhaps even influence coaching tactics on who takes these heaves.
From a team analytics perspective, this change enhances the accuracy of player evaluation by distinguishing skill-based shooting from low-percentage desperation attempts. Analytics departments can now have clearer data on player shooting ability without the noise created by these end-of-period attempts. Coaches, front offices, and analysts rely heavily on advanced metrics to make decisions. Cleaner data will lead to better insights into player efficiency and overall offensive performance. It also opens the door for new metrics that evaluate team behavior at the end of periods, as these heaves now contribute to team shooting stats rather than individual ones.
The change also aligns with the NBA’s broader efforts to modernize and refine its statistical tracking and analytics. Over the past decade, the league has invested heavily in improving data accuracy and relevance. Adjustments like this one demonstrate the NBA’s willingness to adapt its official records to better reflect the nuances of the game. This helps the league maintain credibility among fans, analysts, and stakeholders who increasingly demand precise and meaningful statistics.
Another important implication relates to player reputation and legacy. Shooting percentages are often cited when discussing players’ abilities and legacies. Historically, players known for taking these heaves—whether by design or circumstance—have sometimes been judged unfairly based on the resulting statistics. This change helps protect players from such statistical penalties and preserves the integrity of their shooting records. Future Hall of Famers, record breakers, and all-time great shooters will now be evaluated more fairly, ensuring that their stats truly represent their skill rather than an artifact of game mechanics.
Furthermore, this adjustment may also influence how media and fans interpret player performances. In today’s sports environment, stats are often front and center in discussions, analysis, and debates. By eliminating the statistical burden of these heaves from individual players, media narratives may shift to focus more on genuine shooting ability and less on statistical anomalies. Fans may gain a better appreciation for players’ skills, and media can provide more accurate evaluations, which improves the overall discourse surrounding the game.
On the flip side, this change could also spark debates about what counts as an individual versus team responsibility. While the team will absorb the missed attempts, some might argue that the player who took the shot is still responsible for the attempt and its outcome. Critics might question if removing these shots from individual stats diminishes accountability or distorts reality. However, the NBA seems to be emphasizing that these shots, due to their nature and context, do not fairly represent individual skill and should therefore be treated differently in statistical terms.
Additionally, this new recording practice could open the door to further innovations in how other unusual or low-impact stats are treated. The NBA constantly evolves its statistical frameworks to better represent player contributions and game realities. We might see future rules addressing other edge cases where stats don’t quite tell the full story, especially as advanced tracking technology and analytics continue to develop. The end-of-period heave adjustment could be a precursor to more nuanced statistical treatments that enhance the understanding and fairness of player evaluation.
This change also has an educational value for fans and younger players learning about the game. It highlights how statistics in sports are not just raw numbers but are carefully constructed to represent meaningful aspects of performance. Understanding that the league actively adjusts its stats to account for context encourages a more sophisticated appreciation of basketball analytics. Fans might become more aware of the limitations of traditional stats and the importance of context when evaluating player performance.
In the broader context of sports, the NBA’s decision could influence how other leagues handle similar situations. Different sports grapple with unique statistical quirks, and the NBA’s approach could serve as a model for handling low-probability, low-impact events in ways that protect player evaluation accuracy. The concept of attributing certain negative events to teams rather than individuals could find applications elsewhere, improving fairness and clarity in sports statistics more generally.
Ultimately, this rule change reflects the NBA’s commitment to ensuring that player statistics are as accurate and fair as possible. It respects the reality that end-of-period heaves are unique shot attempts that do not fit well into conventional shooting percentage calculations. By adjusting the recording method, the league is acknowledging the difference between skill-based shooting and desperation plays, creating a clearer picture of individual player performance. This benefits players, coaches, analysts, media, and fans alike, fostering a deeper and more accurate understanding of the game. As the 2025-26 season unfolds, it will be interesting to observe how this change influences player behavior, team strategy, and statistical analysis, and whether it will lead to additional innovations in how the NBA tracks and interprets the ever-evolving game of basketball.
