NBA Summer League tests single‑shot free‑throw rule and smart ball

The NBA is using its 2026 Summer League to trial two major rule experiments. A "one free throw" rule will replace the standard set of free throws, awarding a single attempt that carries the same point value as the original foul (e.g., three points for a three‑point foul). This format applies until the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, with normal rules resuming in the last two minutes and overtime.

In parallel, the league will trial a connected basketball equipped with embedded sensors that capture ball‑contact data. The sensor‑filled ball is intended to provide information for future officiating tools, such as last‑touch out‑of‑bounds calls, while preserving the ball’s weight and feel. The experiments will be showcased at the California Classic, the Salt Lake City Summer League, and the Las Vegas Summer League. The one‑shot free‑throw format was previously tested in the G League during the 2019‑20 season.