Free Throw Shooter

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Playing with 5 is a fundamental requirement of the game...and has been from near the beginning. "Sitting a tick" is a recent addition created to stop a specific type of behavior. So is the requirement that an injured player (when the coach was beckoned) leave the game unless a timeout is called.

Simply put, the "sit a tick" concept only applies when there is someone else who can be/stay in the game (not injured and not DQ'd). The rules requiring 5 or requiring a coach to have a sub report for a disqualified/injured player take precedence when there is any other player who can fill that role.

Another way....A non-DQ'd player on the bench is always an available substitute when they are the only one remaining and a player on the floor requires replacement.

That's the purpose and intent of the rule imo also.