The NBA’s Free Throw Epidemic: Why Fouls and Freebies Are Dominating the 2025-26 Season
I. Introduction: The Free Throw Explosion Nobody Saw Coming
It’s a number that jumps off the page: 24 NBA teams are averaging at least 23 free throw attempts per game just one-third into the 2025-26 season. That’s not a typo. In previous years, only the top five teams in the league would hover around that mark. Now, it’s become the norm across the NBA, and it’s changing the way fans, players, and coaches experience the game.
What’s behind this sudden spike? Is it a matter of faster pace? More aggressive offense? Or have the rules and culture of the game shifted so drastically that free throws are now the centerpiece of NBA strategy? For the passionate fan who watches every game, the constant whistles, delays, and stoppages are impossible to ignore. The league, which once made a concerted effort to speed up play and reduce free throws, now finds itself in the midst of a new epidemic—one that’s transforming basketball at every level.
II. The History: From Rip-Throughs to Rule Reforms
A few years ago, the NBA was in a very different place. In response to growing complaints from fans and analysts about slow games and excessive free throws, Commissioner Adam Silver and the league office took action. The summer of 2023 saw a wave of rule changes designed to curb embellishment and gamesmanship.
Most notably, the league cracked down on offensive players who exaggerated contact to draw fouls. The infamous “rip-through” motion, popularized by stars like Kevin Durant and Chris Paul, was no longer called as a shooting foul. The NBA also introduced penalties for players who blatantly flopped or sold contact. For a time, these changes worked, and the pace of play improved.
But as the 2025-26 season began, the pendulum swung back—hard. Free throw attempts skyrocketed, and the stoppages returned. The question is: why?
III. The Numbers: A Leaguewide Spike
Let’s look at the numbers. In the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, the top five teams in free throw attempts averaged between 23 and 24 per game. That was considered normal. This season, nearly every team in the league is matching or exceeding those numbers. The league average for fouls called has soared from 37.2 per game last year to over 42 per game now. In the first ten days of the season, referees called nearly 46 fouls per game—a staggering figure.
This isn’t just a statistical anomaly. It’s a fundamental shift in how the game is played and officiated.
IV. The High-Five Rule: A Quiet Revolution
One of the most significant changes came quietly. At the start of the 2025-26 season, the NBA implemented the so-called “high-five rule.” For decades, incidental contact with a shooter’s hand—so long as it wasn’t on the wrist or arm—was considered legal. Defenders could “high-five” a shooter’s hand on the follow-through without penalty.
Not anymore. Monti McCutchen, the NBA’s Senior Vice President for Referee Development, announced that this season, any contact with a shooter’s hand would be called a defensive foul. The rule was prompted by complaints from coaches like Steve Kerr, who argued that defenders were intentionally targeting injured hands—most notably Steph Curry’s thumb during the 2025 playoffs.
The impact was immediate. According to NBA.com, offensive players are being fouled 17% more on jump shots, with a similar increase on three-point attempts. Defenders must now be much more cautious when closing out, fundamentally altering defensive strategy.
V. The Rise of the Modern Guard: Efficiency Through Fouls
Another driving force behind the free throw epidemic is the evolution of the NBA’s scoring hierarchy. For much of league history, big men dominated the efficiency charts, thanks to their proximity to the basket. Guards and wings were often criticized for taking too many jumpers and not feeding the post.
Now, that narrative has flipped. Out of the top 25 most efficient scorers in the league, 12 are guards or small forwards—double the number from just two years ago. The secret? Free throws.
Today’s stars know that maximizing efficiency means drawing fouls and getting to the line. Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Edwards, and Austin Reaves are all averaging career-high free throw attempts. Even Jaylen Brown, who recently criticized floppers and “selling your soul” for fouls, is shooting more free throws than ever before.
It’s not a new phenomenon. James Harden was infamous for his foul-baiting tactics, drawing both admiration and ire from fans and media. But what was once controversial is now normalized, thanks to analytics that show free throws are the most efficient way to score—especially for guards who are excellent shooters.
VI. The Analytics Revolution: Why Fouls Are Now “Smart Basketball”
The rise of analytics has played a major role in this shift. Teams and players now understand that drawing fouls is not just a way to score—it’s the optimal way to play. The data is clear: free throws are the most efficient shots in basketball, and players who can sell contact and get to the line are more valuable than ever.
This has led to a culture where exaggerating contact is no longer frowned upon, but celebrated. Players feel empowered to seek out fouls, knowing that it’s the best way to boost their numbers and help their teams win.
VII. Aggressive Defense: Copycat League and the Pacers/Thunder Model
Of course, the increase in free throws isn’t just about offense. The NBA is a copycat league, and defensive trends spread quickly. The 2025 Finals showcased two teams—the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder—who played fierce, aggressive defense, utilizing full-court presses and relentless trapping.
Other teams have rushed to replicate these strategies, leading to more physical play and, inevitably, more fouls. The Pacers’ full-court press and OKC’s trapping defense have become models for the rest of the league, but not every team can execute them as effectively. The result is a surge in fouls as teams struggle to balance aggression with discipline.
VIII. The Referee’s Dilemma: Adjusting to New Realities
Referees are caught in the middle of these changes. Early in the season, officials called fouls at a record pace, responding to the increased physicality and the new high-five rule. Over time, it’s expected that players and coaches will adjust, but for now, the learning curve is steep.
The challenge for referees is to maintain consistency while adapting to evolving rules and strategies. As teams push the boundaries of physical play, officials must decide where to draw the line—literally and figuratively.
IX. The Fan Experience: Frustration and Fatigue
For the casual viewer, the spike in free throws may go unnoticed. But for diehard fans, the constant stoppages and delays are a source of frustration. Games are interrupted by whistles, reviews, and free throws, disrupting the flow and excitement of the sport.
This isn’t just an aesthetic issue. The increased number of fouls and free throws has real consequences for player fatigue, game strategy, and even ticket sales. Fans want to see fast-paced action, not endless trips to the line.
X. The NBA’s Response: Ratings and Popularity
Despite these challenges, the NBA remains as popular as ever. Reports show that ratings for the 2025-26 season are at their highest in years, suggesting that the free throw epidemic hasn’t dampened enthusiasm for the sport. The league is unlikely to make major changes unless fan engagement drops—a scenario that seems unlikely for now.
XI. The Future: Is This the New Normal?
So, what does the future hold? If current trends continue, the NBA may be entering a new era where free throws and fouls are central to the game’s identity. The high-five rule, aggressive defensive schemes, and the rise of efficient guards are all interrelated, driving the leaguewide surge in free throw attempts.
Some analysts worry that the game will become too slow and fragmented, while others argue that the changes reflect a more sophisticated, strategic approach to basketball. As teams and players adapt, it’s possible that the numbers will stabilize, but for now, the free throw epidemic shows no signs of slowing down.
XII. Conclusion: The NBA’s Crossroads
The NBA is at a crossroads. The free throw explosion has transformed the league, challenging traditional notions of how the game should be played and officiated. Whether this is a temporary blip or the start of a new era remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that basketball is evolving, and the forces driving these changes—rules, analytics, and defensive innovation—are deeply interconnected. For fans, coaches, and players alike, the challenge is to embrace the new reality while preserving the excitement and integrity of the sport.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the numbers—and on the league’s response. Will the free throw epidemic become the new normal, or will the NBA find a way to restore balance? Only time will tell.
