The Boston Celtics will look to even their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the New York Knicks on Monday night, and many fans believe that is a lock to happen because of the referee who has been assigned to the game.
Longtime NBA referee Scott Foster has been assigned to serve as the crew chief for Game 4 between the Celtics and Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. That might be bad news for the home team.
Foster has earned himself the nickname “The Extender” due to his reputation for working playoff games in which the team that is trailing in the series prevails.
After the news about Foster working Game 4 between the Knicks and Celtics surfaced, the word “extender” began flying all over social media.
Knicks have no chance im afraid pic.twitter.com/q4xhuk036J
— KlawedUP🦇 (@KlawedUP) May 12, 2025
The Extender pic.twitter.com/Do0oCwQeHD
— 𝔽𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕒 ❤️🔥 (@MiamisOG) May 12, 2025
The extender 🔥
— HOOPER (@HOOPRz) May 12, 2025
The extender league made the call pic.twitter.com/tgjBBrRPVy
— KEE⚡️ (@playoffskee) May 12, 2025
Foster has been an NBA referee since 1994. He returned from a lengthy injury-related absence last week to work Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals series between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City had lost Game 1 but, sure enough, won Game 2 to even the series.
A lot of star players have had issues with Foster over the years. One NBA legend even openly celebrated when Foster was unable to work games because of his injury.
The Celtics blew the Knicks out in Game 3 on Saturday. They led by 20 points in both Game 1 and Game 2 before losing, so it would not exactly be suspicious if they were to defeat New York again in Game 4 on Monday night. Still, fans are going to point to Foster if that happens.
