Rick Carlisle Breaks Silence: Why He Stands Firm Behind Referee Scott Foster Amid Rising Fan Fury

OKLAHOMA CITY — Wow, if you thought Game 4’s ending stirred the pot, you haven’t seen anything yet. The air was thick with frustration from Pacers fans who felt the whistle blew too favorably for the Thunder — especially when it came to Tyrese Haliburton’s near absence at the charity stripe. When a fan cornered me in the media section, his disbelief about Haliburton’s lone free throw was palpable, but honestly, the guy’s style is all about finesse rather than banging through contact like some of the league’s heavy hitters. Yet, that didn’t quite settle the debate, not by a long shot. And as you’d expect, the focus quickly zeroed in on Scott Foster, the lead official who seems to attract heat wherever he officiates. But here’s where it gets interesting: Rick Carlisle wasn’t having any of it — standing firm by Foster’s side and calling out the barrage of criticism as not just unfair but downright ridiculous. Meanwhile, Thunder’s coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the games’ physicality and the flurry of fouls, reinforcing that the refs were keeping it even-steven. Now, no one can ignore that one play late in the fourth—the Gilgeous-Alexander baseline jumper—where Pacers fans wanted a foul call that just didn’t come, leaving some to wonder about consistency. Bottom line? The patchwork of calls will keep folks guessing, griping, and debating as we barrel into Game 5—but let me tell you, the officials probably won’t be the ones handing out the trophy. LEARN MORE

OKLAHOMA CITY — In the wake of Indiana’s come-from-ahead Game 4 loss, Pacers fans were frustrated. Very frustrated. One gentleman approached me while I was still sitting in a media area, and asked if I was writing about the game, and if so did I know how few times Tyrese Haliburton had been to the free throw line (once). My response that “Tyrese doesn’t really drive like that” — meaning he doesn’t drive with force seeking contact like Giannis Antetokounmpo or even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Haliburton is more finesse — wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear. Nor was my comment that it was called both ways, that the Pacers took just five fewer free throws than the Thunder.First, that’s not a travel under the NBA’s definition, while SGA stumbles, it’s a gather and two steps. Second, there is a case that Gilgeous-Alexander could be called for pushing off, although Nesmith sells the contact. That’s not the way the officials had called it all game, but the case can be made that they should have called it there. Pacers fans may want to be careful about asking for more calls with off arms because that would fall both ways and Pascal Siakam, among others in Indiana, would rack up more fouls.One play that Pacers fans focused on was Gilgeous-Alexander’s baseline step back jumper to take the lead with 2:23 remaining in the fourth — they wanted him called for using the off arm or a travel.Whatever happens in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, and going forward, the officiating will be scrutinized. Just don’t expect it to be what decides the game.That gentleman’s frustration echoed throughout Indianapolis and beyond after the game — Bill Simmons blasted the officiating on his podcast — with much of the ire focused on lead official Scott Foster, who has long been a lightning rod among fans.

“There were a crap ton of fouls. That’s why there were a crap ton of free throws,” Daigneault said. “I thought the refs did a good job tonight. Both teams shot a lot of free throws. It was physical. That was what the game was. It was a physical game on both ends of the floor for both teams.”Carlise did not want to get into specifics on what he was responding to. Foster is one of the highest-rated officials, according to the NBA’s metrics. He’s seen as fair and consistent, which is why he has worked 26 NBA Finals games across 18 seasons. After Game 4, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged that there were a lot of whistles, but he thought the officiating was fair.“I think it’s awful some of the things I’ve seen about the officiating, and Scott Foster in particular,” Carlisle said. “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.”Before Game 5, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle stuck up for Foster.