NBA coaches often vent frustration with the officials to the media, but Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle took a very different approach during his media availability on Sunday.
Carlisle launched a passionate defense of referee Scott Foster after Foster drew criticism for his performance during Friday’s Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, In. Many critics felt the entire game was officiated poorly, as it featured 71 combined free throw attempts and what many saw as a number of missed calls.
Pacers fans in particular were furious about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s go-ahead shot with 2:21 to go, in which some argued that the Thunder guard got away with both a travel and a push-off before the shot. Many brought up Foster’s reputation as “The Extender,” with the perception that his calls help extend playoff series for the NBA’s benefit.
The things NBA refs allow SGA to do is WILD
— Jacob (@Jacobtheclipper) June 14, 2025
Offensive foul and travel 🤦🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/Xc98kp7B4m
Carlisle was not on board with the criticism. On Sunday, the Pacers coach said Foster had been subjected to “ridiculous scrutiny” by fans that was “unjust and stupid.”
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on Finals Game 4 officiating: “I’ve known Scott Foster for 30 years. … The ridiculous scrutiny is terrible. … It’s unjust and stupid.”
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) June 15, 2025
Carlisle is certainly willing to be publicly critical of officials, so it is notable that he is sticking up for Foster here. It would be very easy for him to zero in on some of the controversies, particularly the ones surrounding the Gilgeous-Alexander shot, but he is taking the opposite approach.
In reality, Carlisle likely knows that the Pacers had Game 4 under control and let it slip away late, and it was largely their own fault. Trying to pin the outcome on Foster does not help the Pacers, especially now that the series is at a crucial point headed back to Oklahoma City.
