Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle came to the defense of veteran NBA referee Scott Foster on Sunday, pushing back against what he called “ridiculous scrutiny” following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 4 comeback win in the NBA Finals.
“It’s awful what some of the things I’ve seen about the officiating and Scott Foster in particular,” Carlisle told reporters before the Pacers’ Sunday afternoon practice. “He’s a great official. He’s done a great job in this playoffs.”
Foster, a 30-year NBA veteran, has been assigned to some of the league’s most high-profile playoff games and has drawn both praise and criticism from fans and teams alike. His reputation — and the nickname “The Extender” — have only added fuel to the fire when games he officiates tend to extend a series. In this case, Game 4 saw Oklahoma City erase a late deficit and tie the Finals at two games apiece.
“We’ve had him a lot of times,” Carlisle said. “And this ridiculous scrutiny that’s being thrown out there is terrible and unfair and unjust and stupid.”
Carlisle declined to elaborate on which criticisms he was referring to, though social media was ablaze with complaints after a no-call late in Friday’s fourth quarter.
With 2:23 remaining, Thunder star and league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appeared to shove Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith to create space before drilling a jumper that gave Oklahoma City a 104-103 lead. No whistle was blown, and the Thunder never trailed again, closing the game on a 17-6 run for a 111-104 victory.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 32 points, shot eight of his 11 free throws in the fourth quarter.
The game, played in front of a raucous Indiana crowd, featured 53 fouls, two flagrant calls, and two technicals — a choppy, physical affair that tested both teams’ composure. The Thunder had a slight edge at the line, 38 attempts to the Pacers’ 33.
“There were a crap ton of fouls,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “That’s why there were a crap ton of free throws. I thought the refs did a good job tonight. It was physical. That was what the game was — physical on both ends.”
Foster, for his part, has not spoken publicly, and the league rarely comments on specific officiating decisions during a playoff series. But the attention on his assignments isn’t new, especially when he’s working deep into June.
Back in the old days, a no-call like the one on Gilgeous-Alexander might have been chalked up to playoff intensity. But in 2025, every frame is dissected in real-time, often turning referees into trending topics.
Still, Carlisle’s defense of Foster stood out, particularly at this stage of the Finals. The two share a long history, dating back to Foster’s rookie season in 1994-95, and Carlisle made clear that history matters.
Game 5 is Monday night in Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. EST), with momentum now fully up for grabs. And while the focus may again drift toward whistles and replay angles, both teams know what’s at stake.
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