Ever wondered why your favorite NBA star sometimes refuses to throw up a wild half-court shot at the buzzer? Well, it’s all about the stats—or at least, it was. But that’s changing! Starting from the 2025–26 NBA season, the league is introducing a brand new rule: missed end-of-period heaves will no longer hurt a player’s shooting percentage.
Instead, these desperate, last-second shots will count only against the team, not the individual. So what does that really mean for players, fans, and stat-nerds? And how can you make sure you never miss a moment, no matter where you are in the world? Let me break it down.
What Exactly Is Changing?
If you’ve ever watched an NBA game, you’ve seen it—those crazy, Hail Mary shots players throw up as the clock winds down to zero.
These “heaves” rarely go in, but until now, if you missed, it counted against your personal stats. Some players even avoided taking them, protecting their field goal percentage (FG%) and three-point percentage (3P%)—sometimes even at the expense of giving their team a tiny chance at buzzer-beater points.
From 2025–26 onward, that’s over. Now, missed heaves at the end of a period will be logged as a missed field goal for the team, not the player. If you actually make the shot, you’ll still get all the credit (and the highlight reel moment!). But if you miss, your personal shooting stats stay untouched.
Why Did NBA Make This Change?
Honestly? Because stats matter—a lot. Shooting percentages impact everything from Hall of Fame debates, to endorsement deals, to literal contract bonuses worth millions of dollars.
For years, stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant have been accused of “stat padding”—refusing to shoot from half-court unless absolutely necessary, just to keep their stats pretty.
This rule removes that stress. Now, players can let it fly at the buzzer without worrying their shooting percentage will dip. Expect to see more long-range fireworks at the end of quarters—and more last-second drama for fans!
What Do Players and Fans Think?
Reactions are mixed. Some say it makes the NBA “softer” and encourages players to protect themselves over the team.
Others love that we’ll finally see stars stop dribbling out the clock and actually go for those wild shots. There’s also the money factor: with some player contracts directly tied to stats, this removes one more reason to play it safe.
For us fans, it means more action, more buzzer-beater attempts, and maybe—just maybe—that next viral shot from 70 feet.
Fun Fact: How Much Did These Heaves Matter?
Turns out, not as much as you’d think. Even Steph Curry, the king of crazy shots, would only see his career 3P% improve by a half-percent or so if all his missed heaves vanished. For most players, it’s even less. But if you’re fighting for a new contract, every decimal point can mean a big payday.
Want to Watch Every NBA Moment—Even If You’re Traveling?
If you’re a true NBA addict, missing a game because you’re abroad is the real nightmare. Between local blackouts, streaming restrictions, and geo-blocked NBA League Pass, it’s a jungle out there.
My advice? Get yourself a good VPN and always book a hotel with solid Wi-Fi. Here are my go-to tools when I’m on the road—whether I’m in Prague, Miami, or halfway up a volcano in Bali:
- BOOKING – Best hotels for NBA fans on the go
- KAYAK – Compare flights and set your NBA travel schedule
- EXPEDIA – Find NBA-friendly stays everywhere
- AGODA – Top picks for Wi-Fi and streaming
- VRBO – Book an apartment with a big TV for playoff nights
And for seamless, unrestricted NBA streaming, these VPNs are tried and tested for bypassing any block, letting you watch League Pass, ESPN, or even Reddit NBA streams:
- Try NordVPN – up to 77% off + 3 months free
- SurfShark – 87% off + 3 months free
- CyberGhost – 82% off + 2 months free
- PIA VPN – 85% off + 2 months free
- ExpressVPN – 73% off + 4 months free
Traveling to See a Game? Quick Booking Table
| Platform | What It’s Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Best hotels for NBA fans | Book here |
| Expedia | Flight + hotel packages | Book here |
| Agoda | Cheap hotels with good Wi-Fi | Book here |
Final Thoughts: A Small Rule, a Big Vibe Shift
At the end of the day, this rule won’t revolutionize the NBA. But it does mean more wild shots, less stat-padding, and a little more fun for fans like me and you.
And if you’re chasing the NBA dream—either on the court or on your laptop somewhere far from home—don’t let blackout restrictions or bad Wi-Fi kill your vibe.
Happy watching, and may your favorite player hit that next miracle heave!
