The atmosphere in Gainbridge Fieldhouse was already heavy with anticipation before the ball even went up. Pacers fans, buoyed by a 2–1 series lead, filled the seats ready to roar for their team. But all eyes kept darting back to the person wearing the black-and-gray shirt,  Scott Foster. Known in some circles as “The Extender”, a referee allegedly responsible for prolonging playoff series, his mere presence could stir tension and controversy. His reputation was already well-known here, and tonight was no different. Take the first quarter, for example. 

When Thunder guard Alex Caruso appeared to swipe at Tyrese Haliburton’s side and Foster kept his whistle silent, the fans were livid. Chants of “Ref, you suck!” filled the arena, growing in volume with each subsequent call against the Pacers. It seemed, to them, Foster was letting physical plays from Oklahoma City go while ruling hard against Indiana. Players kept their focus, trying not to let the officiating become a distraction, but the tension continued to mount — both on and off the court.

As the second period began, Foster handed out a flagrant foul to Obi Toppin after a hard shoulder check on Caruso in transition. The ruling fell hard on the home crowd, adding more fuel to their frustration. At this point, the fans were not just reacting to calls — it felt more personal. Then something seemed to grab Foster’s attention. A voice from the seats, close enough for him to hear it directly, called him “Donaghy.” For the Extender, that seemed to be the final straw. 

Security stepped forward immediately and removed the heckling fan from his seat. The name “Donaghy”, a clear reference to Tim Donaghy, a former official who was convicted for betting on games, struck a raw nerve. Foster has dealt with rumors and suspicion for years, and having those doubts hurled directly at him crossed a boundary that forced him to act. His decision to have the person removed made headlines, adding yet another dramatic arc to an already tense matchup.

Scott Foster just had a fan near the courtside removed by security.

— Chris Hagan (@ChrisHaganIndy) June 14, 2025

Meanwhile, the Thunder fought back and secured a 111–104 win in Game 4, tying the series at 2–2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 35 points, and Chet Holmgren made his presence felt on the boards with 15 rebounds.  

Now, as the series heads back to Oklahoma City, there’s more on the line than just the Larry O’Brien trophy. The controversy surrounding Foster is still a lingering narrative that officiating, fairness, and perception can become nearly as much a part of the final game as the players’ performance on the court.

Scott Foster’s Controversial Legacy Looms Over Crucial Game 5

The NBA Finals are about to get interesting – and we’re not just talking about the basketball. As the series shifts to Oklahoma City tied 2-2, there’s an uninvited guest who could steal the show: referee Scott Foster.

Foster’s playoff reputation has become the NBA’s version of an urban legend—except the whispers are too loud to ignore. His ‘Extender‘ nickname persists because certain trends keep appearing at suspiciously convenient times, like when underdog teams suddenly get favorable whistles in elimination games. Players certainly notice—Chris Paul’s 3-17 playoff record under Foster’s whistle (including that infamous 13-game skid) has become its bizarre basketball folklore. Their feud runs so deep that when Foster took an accidental elbow to the nose earlier this season, the internet immediately wondered if CP3 was somewhere secretly celebrating—not that we’d ever accuse him of such a thing.

On paper, Game 5 leans toward Thunder. They’re back home, where they’ve dominated all year (68-14), and 74% of teams in this spot win the series. But Scott Foster changes the equation. His presence adds chaos that no stat can predict. The Pacers have to battle more than just OKC’s defense. They’re also fighting the weight of Foster’s whistle—a mental hurdle for any young team, especially in their first Finals run.

As tip-off nears, the focus isn’t just on the players. It’s on the officials. The growing referee drama has become an unexpected subplot of this series. The NBA insists the “Extender” talk is nonsense. But after three decades of controversy, Foster brings a perception problem the league can’t just whistle away.

From missed calls to the Game 4 fan ejection, the spotlight is stuck on the officials. And that’s bad news for the sport. At this point, the real matchup might not be SGA vs. Haliburton—it’s Ref calls vs. the court of public opinion.