NBA Finals Game 7 could see return of referee criticized by some fans
It is a strong likelihood that NBA referee Scott Foster will officiate Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22.
Foster, who is one of the NBA's top referees based on a multi-pronged ratings system that uses feedback from teams, called Game 4 in Indianapolis, and Pacers fans were unhappy with his whistle in the Thunder victory.
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The NBA does not publicly reveal referees until 9 a.m. ET of game day, but given the rotation of the Finals refs, it makes sense that Foster would get the assignment since he has reffed just one 2025 Finals game and hasn't been in the rotation since Game 4.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defended Foster at media availability before Game 5.
'I think it's awful some of the things I've seen about officiating, and Scott Foster in particular,' Carlisle said on Sunday, June 15. 'I've known Scott Foster for 30 years. He is a great official. He has done a great job in these playoffs. We've had him a lot of times. The ridiculous scrutiny that is being thrown out there is terrible and unfair and unjust and stupid.'
PACERS COACH: Rick Carlisle defends referee Scott Foster after fan criticism
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Before the Finals began, the NBA announced the 12 referees who were selected to officiate Finals games based on evaluations from playoff games this season.
Not every ref will get two games, but it won't be a surprise if Foster gets Game 7.
Foster is working his 18th Finals and has reffed 25 Finals games, including Game 7 in the 2010 Finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers and Game 7 of the 2013 Finals between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs.
James Capers, Tyler Ford, Ben Taylor, Josh Tiven and Sean Wright are the other officials who have had just one Finals games this season. A crew of Foster plus a combination of Capers, Tiven and Williams makes sense. Ford and Taylor called their first Finals games this month.
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In Game 4, both teams combined to shoot 71 free throws, including 38 by the Thunder. On the NBA's Last Two-Minute Report, referee operations examined 17 plays and found they were all 'correct calls' or 'correct no-calls.'
Foster had reffed one previous Pacers playoff game this season.
Some fans have given Foster the nickname 'The Extender,' claiming that he has a history of making dubious calls during the playoffs that have extended series.
Longtime NBA writer Tom Haberstroh, however, referenced a study that says there's 'not much evidence at all' of Foster's ability to 'extend' the series.
NBA referee Scott Foster, shown during a game on Feb. 4, 2025.
How are NBA Finals referees selected?
According to the NBA, playoff referees are selected, 'based on their overall performance throughout the first three rounds of the NBA Playoffs 2025. Officials were evaluated by the NBA Referee Operations management team after each round to determine advancement in this year's postseason.'
Who is NBA referee Scott Foster?
Foster is considered one of the best referees in the league.
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An official in his 30th season with the NBA, Foster entered this season having officiated 1,675 regular season games and 241 postseason games. Friday night was Foster's 25th time officiating an NBA Finals game. This is his 18th NBA Finals, overall..
Foster is also a noted pickleball player.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Finals referee Scott Foster could return for Thunder-Pacers Game 7
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