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USA Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Scott Foster not among NBA Finals Game 7 referees
The referee who drew the ire of Indiana Pacers fans for some of his calls in Game 4 of the NBA Finals will not be on the court when the Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder meet in a winner-take-all Game 7 tonight. Under the league's rotation system, Scott Foster was in line to be one of the three officials calling Game 7 but earlier Sunday, the NBA revealed that James Capers will serve as crew chief, with Josh Tiven as referee and Sean Wright as umpire. Foster is one of the league's highest-rated referees who has called 25 Finals games over the course of his career. However, he and the crew were criticized after Game 4, when both teams combined to shoot 71 free throws -- 38 of them by the Thunder. However, on the NBA's Last Two-Minute Report, referee operations examined 17 plays and found they were all 'correct calls' or 'correct no-calls.' The criticism became so prevalent that Pacers coach Rick Carlisle felt a need to step in and defend Foster. 'I think it's awful some of the things I've seen about officiating, and Scott Foster in particular,' Carlisle said on 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.' The Pacers evened the series and forced Game 7 by defeating the Thunder 108-91 in Indianapolis Thursday night.
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
NBA referee Scott Foster to lead Game 7 between Indiana Pacers and OKC Thunder? Here's what we know
NBA referee Scott Foster is very likely to be assigned to Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, June 22. The NBA doesn't release the names of referees until 9 a.m. ET on the day of the game, but based on how the Finals referee rotation has gone,(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Foster, who is considered one of the league's top officials based on a detailed ratings system that includes team feedback, officiated Game 4 in Indianapolis. Pacers fans weren't happy with how he called that game, which the Thunder won. The NBA doesn't release the names of referees until 9 a.m. ET on the day of the game, but based on how the Finals referee rotation has gone, it makes sense for Foster to get the Game 7 assignment. So far, he's only worked one game in the 2025 Finals and hasn't officiated since Game 4. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle spoke up in support of Foster before Game 5. Also Read: Draymond Green makes shocking prediction ahead of OKC vs Pacers NBA Finals Game 7 '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.' NBA picked 12 referees to work the series Before the Finals started, the NBA picked 12 referees to work the series, based on how they performed during the earlier playoff rounds. Not every ref is expected to work two games, but if Foster is assigned to Game 7, it won't be a surprise. This is his 18th NBA Finals, and Friday night was his 25th time officiating a Finals game. He also worked Game 7 of the 2010 Finals (Celtics vs. Lakers) and Game 7 of the 2013 Finals (Heat vs. Spurs). Other referees who have worked just one Finals game this year include James Capers, Tyler Ford, Ben Taylor, Josh Tiven, and Sean Wright. A Game 7 crew with Foster and a mix of Capers, Tiven, and maybe Williams would make sense. Ford and Taylor both made their Finals debuts earlier this month. In Game 4, the Pacers and Thunder combined for 71 free throws, with the Thunder shooting 38 of them. According to the NBA's Last Two-Minute Report, 17 key plays from that game were reviewed, and all were ruled as either 'correct calls' or 'correct no-calls.' Foster had also officiated one other Pacers playoff game earlier this postseason. Foster a.k.a 'The Extender' Some fans have nicknamed Foster 'The Extender,' suggesting he's made questionable calls in past playoffs that helped push the series to more games. Longtime NBA journalist Tom Haberstroh pointed to a study that found there's 'not much evidence at all' that Foster actually extends the series. The NBA says that playoff refs are picked '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.' Foster is widely seen as one of the league's top officials. Now in his 30th NBA season, Foster came into this year with 1,675 regular season games and 241 playoff games under his belt. Friday marked his 25th Finals game. This is his 18th time working the Finals. Off the court, Foster is also known for being an avid pickleball player.
USA Today
15-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defends NBA Finals referee Scott Foster after fan criticism
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defends NBA Finals referee Scott Foster after fan criticism Show Caption Hide Caption Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals is better than it's 'small-market' billing USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Sports Pulse Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle took exception Sunday to the criticism being levied at officiating during the NBA Finals, specifically the rebukes against Scott Foster. 'I think it's awful some of the things I've seen about officiating, and Scott Foster in particular,' Carlisle said 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.' Many Pacers and NBA fans had taken to social media to criticize Foster for his performance Friday night in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, an eventual 111-104 Oklahoma City Thunder victory that evened the series at 2-2. Both teams combined to shoot 71 free throws, including 38 by the Thunder. In particular, fans took exception to a play when Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pushed off against Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith on a drive toward the left baseline, before Gilgeous-Alexander drained a step-back jumper. Gilgeous-Alexander appeared to take an extra step on the play, though he stumbled as he gathered his feet; Foster was very near the play, observing the action from the baseline. Foster officiated Game 4 with Josh Tiven (sixth Finals) and Sean Wright (second Finals). On the NBA's Last Two-Minute Report, referee operations examined 17 plays at 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. OPINION: In grueling NBA Finals, Pacers may regret Game 4 loss ANALYSIS: NBA Finals TV ratings don't reflect complete picture 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. Haberstroh said Foster called 23 fouls (11 on the Pacers, 12 on the Thunder), Tiven called 17 fouls (nine on the Pacers, eight on the Thunder) and Wright called 13 fouls (seven on the Pacers, six on the Thunder). Bill Simmons, the former writer and now media executive and podcaster, said of the game: 'It was just an abomination. It was a typical Scott Foster (game), all over the place, just involved like weird stoppages, missed calls, like calling touch fouls, then not calling somebody getting clubbed in the head. They had no control of this entire game.' 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. 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.
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA says Luka Doncic was fouled late in Lakers' Game 4 loss to Timberwolves
NBA says Luka Doncic was fouled late in Lakers' Game 4 loss to Timberwolves Show Caption Hide Caption How real are the Lakers as NBA title contenders? The Lakers have been on a roll since trading for Luka Doncic, but are they good enough to win a championship? Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels should've been called for a foul on Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic with 35.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter of the Timberwolves' 116-133 victory in Game 4 Sunday, according to the NBA's Last Two-Minute report released Monday. Minnesota had just taken a 114-113 lead, and Doncic dribbled toward half court when McDaniels' right leg tripped Doncic, who fell the court. No foul was called, and Doncic called timeout. On the Lakers' next possession, LeBron James committed a turnover, leading to two made Anthony Edwards free throws. Doncic and Lakers coach JJ Redick were upset with the no-call, which the NBA labeled an incorrect no call in its Last Two Minute Report. Doncic should've been awarded two free throws, giving the Lakers a chance to tie or take the lead. 'I got tripped for sure," Doncic told reporters. "The league's Last Two-Minute Report also confirmed that referees were correct in calling a foul on James during a Minnesota challenge, saying James made 'illegal contact to Edwards' left wrist." Instead of the Lakers gaining possession of the basketball, Edwards made two free throws with 10.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. MORE: Ant-man on the rise, a hole in the middle and perfect timing. How Timberwolves won Game 4. The Timberwolves took a 3-1 lead and can win the series in Game 5 on Wednesday in Los Angeles (10 p.m. ET, TNT). Follow USA TODAY Sports on Bluesky.
