4-Point Line, Is the NBA Headed Toward a New Era?
From PBA courts to the Celebrity Game, the 4-point shot has already experimented with the future of basketball. Now it’s up to the NBA to decide
For years, there has been talk of a possible 4-point line in the NBA, but the question remains: is it really time to introduce it officially? The debate divides players, fans, and insiders alike.
Among those pushing for the innovation are names like Damian Lillard, Seth Curry, and LaMelo Ball, who said in an interview that their ideal rule change would be a 4-point line. Kyrie Irving added:
I think it would make everything a lot more fun, giving players the opportunity to extend their game further away from the basket.
Kyrie Irving
On the other side, there are critical voices: Kevin Durant didn’t hold back:
I wouldn’t play in a league like that. It’s a joke.
Kevin Durant
And Stephen Curry raised an interesting point:
It might push too many people, who aren’t great shooters, to start taking even deeper shots.
Stephen Curry
Where the 4-Point Shot Is Already a Reality
The concept isn’t entirely new: the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and Ice Cube’s BIG3 league have already introduced 4-point shots, at distances of 27 feet (8.23 meters) and 30 feet (9.14 meters) from the basket, respectively. In the NBA, the three-point line at the top of the arc is 7.24 meters.
Currently in the NBA, the three-point line is set at 23 feet, 9 inches (7.24 meters) at the top of the arc, while in the corners it shortens to 22 feet (6.71 meters). Compared to the FIBA distance of 6.75 meters, this makes the long-range shot more selective and helps define spacing.
The NBA has also experimented: teams such as the Hawks, Nets, Sixers, Bucks, and Rockets have had 4-point lines on their practice courts since 2018. Even the Celebrity Game since 2018 and the WNBA All-Star Game since 2022 have featured extra-point shots on the floor.
Pros and Cons of the 4-Point Line
Supporters highlight one clear advantage: no lead would ever feel safe, because an eight-point gap in the final minute would suddenly become a two-possession game.
On the other hand, critics fear the line could reduce highlight plays at the rim, encourage low-percentage attempts, and create more airballs than excitement.
The real dilemma remains: is the 4-point line the solution to increasing viewership and spectacle in basketball, or does it risk altering the essence of the game as we know it?