1946-47 (January 11, 1947)
Zone defenses outlawed.
   -League began using college rules allowing zones, but prohibited
   zones less than three months after season opened.

1950-51
Rebounds added as statistical categories.

1951-52
Lane widened from six to 12 feet
   -Change primarily attributed to the dominance of George Mikan

1953-54
Players limited to two fouls per quarter and if a third foul is committed, the player has to sit out the remainder of that quarter.
   -The rule is rescinded when it fails to prevent late game fouling.

1954-55
The 24-second shot clock is introduced.
Penalty free throw is awarded following a team's fifth foul in any quarter.

1964-65
Lane widened from 12 to 16 feet
   -Change primarily attributed to the dominance of Wilt Chamberlain

1973-74
Steals and blocked shots added as statistical categories.

1974-75
Fine increased from $50 to $100 for a player ejected after being charged with a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Timeout requests made at approximately the instant time expires for a period shall not be granted and the period ends.

1975-76
After any playing court violation, the ball is to be put into play at the sideline.

1976-77
Excessive and/or vigorous swinging of the elbows, without contact, is a violation.
If a defensive player causes the ball to go out-of-bounds, the offensive team, on regaining the ball for throw-in, shall now have the unexpired time or 5 seconds (instead of 10), whichever is longer, to attempt a shot.

1977-78
If a coach wants to discuss a rule or an interpretation of a rule prior to the start of a period, it will be mandatory for the officials to ask the other coach to be present during the discussion. Previously, the rule only addressed pre-game discussions.
Any field goal that, in the opinion of the officials is intentionally scored in the wrong basket, shall be disallowed.
The 24-second shot clock shall be reset to 24 seconds on all violations, as well as after a zone warning.
If the ball enters the basket from below, a violation has occurred.
Fine increased from $100 to $150 for a player not in the game who does not remain in the vicinity of his team's bench during a fight.
A $25 fine shall be assessed to any player hanging on the rim during pre-game warm-up.

1978-79
Number of referees officiating game increased from two to three.
Rolling the ball on the floor from out of bounds now allowed; penalty of loss of possession eliminated.
Technical foul imposed on team instead of warning for first illegal defense and two technical fouls imposed for second and all subsequent violations. Illegal defense rules modified.
Clarification added instructing players and coaches to proceed directly to dressing rooms, without pause or delay, following halftime. Previous rule only stated at conclusion of game.
Clarification added to prohibit hand-checking through "rigid enforcement" of rule allowing a defensive player to retain contact with his opponent so long as he does not impede his opponent's progress.

1979-80
Three-point line established 22 feet in the corners extending to 23 feet, nine inches at the top of the key.
Number of referees officiating game reduced from three to two.
If a team is attempting to bring the ball across the center line within 10 seconds and a defensive player causes the ball to go out of bounds in the backcourt, the offensive team will no longer receive an additional 10 second count in which to advance the ball past the center line.

1980-81
Twenty-second injury timeout eliminated such that each team is now entitled to one 20-second timeout per half, regardless of injury, for a total of two per game, including overtimes.
Red light, synchronized to light up when the horn sounds at the expiration of each period, added behind backboard.
Officials shall not permit any players to play with any type of hand, arm face, nose, ear , head or neck jewelry. Safety rules clarified to include all face masks and eye or nose protectors must conform to the contour of the face and have no sharp or protruding edges. Also, all equipment used by players must be appropriate for basketball and equipment that is unnatural and designed to increase a players height or reach, or to gain an advantage, shall not be used.
Any time a technical foul is called on the offensive team, the 24-second clock shall not be reset. Previously, the 24-second clock would be reset regardless of whether the technical foul was charged to the offensive or defensive team.
The 24-second clock shall be reset after a zone warning.
Clarification added regarding free throws: a player shall not deflect or catch the ball before it reaches the basket.

1981-82
Zone defense rules clarified substantially with new rules for Illegal Defensive Alignments.
If a foul committed by a player calls for a single free throw after a successful field goal in the penalty stage, no additional free throw will be allowed if the first foul attempt is missed.
Pressure-release "moveable" basketball rings (rims) adopted.
Three free throws to make two; two to make one eliminated.
Players must report to the 8-foot box area in front of the scorer's table before referee will beckon them into the game. Players were previously required to report "to the scorer."
Backcourt fouls considered common fouls and two shots will only be awarded once offending team is over the limit.

1982-83
After the ball is out-of-bounds, the team, not the official, shall designate a player to make the throw-in.
On a throw-in which is not touched inbounds, the ball is returned to the original throw-in spot, as opposed to the point where the ball crossed a boundary.

1983-84
If a 20-second timeout has been granted, and a mandatory timeout by the same team is due, only the mandatory timeout will be charged.
Locations of certain jump balls such as a double free-throw violation or when the ball lodges in a basket support changed.
The free thrower shall not purposely fake a free throw attempt.
If a shot is taken simultaneously with a whistle for an illegal defense, and is successful, the basket shall count and no penalty shall be imposed.

1984-85
The number of timeouts teams are allowed in overtime increased from two to three regardless of the number of timeouts called or remaining during the regulation play or previous overtimes.
If a foul is committed against any offensive player in his frontcourt, who has a clear path to the basket and is thereby deprived of the opportunity to score, a second free throw and possession of the ball out of bounds shall be awarded.
Fine increased from $100 to $500 for coaches and players who do not leave the court and go directly to their dressing rooms, without pause or delay, at halftime and the end of each game.
Fine increased from $150 to $500 for a player not in the game who does not remain in the vicinity of his team's bench during a fight.

1988-89
Number of referees officiating game increased from two to three.

1990-91
Penalties for flagrant fouls increased such that an infraction is penalized by two free throw attempts and possession of the ball out-of-bounds. The offender may also be ejected if there is no apparent effort to play the ball and/or, in the official's judgment, the contact was of such an excessive nature that an injury could have occurred. Ejected players will be automatically fined $250.

1993 Playoffs
Any player who throws a punch now immediately ejected from the game, suspended for at least one game and fined an appropriate dollar amount. Any player throwing a punch that connects with another player will be ejected from the game, suspended for a minimum of one to five games, and fined an appropriate dollar amount. Teams will also be fined an amount equal to the total sum of their players' fines. Any player leaving the bench area during a fight will be fined $2,500, up from $500, and that player's team will be fined $5,000 for each of its players who leave the bench area.

1993-94
"Five-point" flagrant foul rule implemented whereby if a player's season total exceeds five points, he receives an automatic suspension following the game in which his point total exceeds five and for each additional flagrant foul committed during the season.

1994-95
Shortened the three-point line (22 feet in the corners extending to 23 feet, nine inches at the top of the key) to a uniform 22 feet around the basket.
Awarded three foul shots for any player fouled while attempting a three-point field goal.
Any player who leaves the bench during a fight automatically suspended for a minimum of one game and fined a maximum of $20,000, in addition to losing 1/82nd of his salary for each game he is suspended.
Any player who commits two flagrant fouls in one game will be ejected.
Hand-checking eliminated from the end line in the backcourt to the opposite foul line.
Technical foul fines increased to $500 each. Formerly, the fines were $100 for the first technical and $150 for the second.
"Clear path" rule changed to include contact in the backcourt. If a defender grabs a player when the player has a clear path to the basket on a breakaway, two foul shots will be awarded.
The second or more of back-to-back timeouts when the ball is not inbounded will be limited to 45 seconds.

1996-97
A team that calls timeout without having any remaining will be assessed a technical foul and also lose possession of the ball.

1997-98
The three-point line, 22 feet from the basket, lengthened to its original distance of 23 feet, nine inches, except in the corners, where the distance remained 22 feet.
A defender will not be permitted to use his forearm to impede the progress of an offensive player who is facing the basket in the frontcourt. ú A player will not be allowed to call timeout if both of his feet are in the air and any part of his body has broken the vertical plane of the sideline or baseline.
The "no-charge area," formerly a two-by-six foot box where an offensive foul is not called if contact is made with a secondary defensive player who has established a defensive position, will be expanded to the area consisting of a half circle with a four-foot radius measured from the middle of the goal.

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