The NBA’s most famous (or perhaps most infamous) referee is finally making his long-awaited return.
On Wednesday, the league announced that Scott Foster would be working Game 2 that night of the second-round playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Foster will be serving as the referee crew chief with James Williams and Ed Malloy rounding out the three-man officiating unit.
This marks Foster’s very first game back ever since he suffered an injury roughly a month-and-a-half ago. During a game on March 17 between the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks, Foster hurt his calf and was unable to finish the contest.
The 58-year-old Foster is one of the most notorious referees in the NBA today, and some prominent basketball figures even went so far as to express pleasure about Foster’s injury. But after just over seven weeks on the sidelines, Foster is ready to suit up for action once again.
Foster has been a referee since 1994 and has already officiated 241 career playoff games (including 24 in the NBA Finals). Thus, it isn’t surprising that the league wanted Foster back in there as soon as he was physically able to be.
Still, many fans will not be pleased about the development. Foster has earned himself the pejorative nickname of “The Extender” due to his alleged tendency to make calls favoring the team that is trailing in a playoff series. With the Nuggets currently leading the Thunder 1-0, few will be surprised if the series ends up tied 1-1 now that Foster is set to be the crew chief for Game 2.
