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An NBA referee received one of the most brutal blows during a playoff match on Thursday night.
During game 2 of the western conference finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, former officer Scott Foster was bloody after receiving a blow to the face.
Foster was placing a jump ball between Lu Dort and Julius Randle in the first quarter, and when Dort came down again, he shook Foster right in his face.
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The officer Scott Foster runs along the court during the second quarter of the game two of the second round of the NBA playoffs of 2025 between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder in Paycom Center. (Alonzo Adams-Imagn images)
Foster ran immediately to the scorer’s table, holding his hand under his nose to prevent blood from rising to the court.
The coaches attended him and gave him towels before connecting his nose to stop bleeding.
Foster has been an NBA official since the 1994-95 season. It has often been called “the extensor”, because it has become quite noticeable that the teams behind in a playoff season often win games that are officiating.
The referee Scott Foster, #48, observes during the second half of a game between the New York Knicks and the Charlotte Hornets in the Madison Square Garden. (Images of John Jones-Imagn)
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It has also become synonym for Chris Paul, who had 3-17 in playoff games officiated by Foster. Paul was sitting on the court when the injury occurred.
The Thunder took an advantage of 2-0 in the series with the help of Shai Gilgous-Alexander, who, 24 hours after being named MVP of the NBA, fell 38 points. OKC won, 118-103.
“I feel that all my emotions were so high, but I was a little tired, especially at the beginning,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “I was a little too played. Special moment. I’m happy to have won, so I can really enjoy the last two days and absorb it. That really helps.”
Jalen Williams had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Chet Holmgren added 22 points for Thunder.
Minnesota closed within 10 in the final period, but Oklahoma City kept the Timberwolves at late.
Anthony Edwards scored 32 points, but took 26 shots to get them. Jaden McDaniels scored 22 points, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 17 for the Timberwolves.
Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, #2, and the center of Oklahoma City Thunder, Isaiah Hartenstein, #55, react after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game two of the western conference finals for the Playoffs of the NBA 2025 at the Paycom center. (Alonzo Adams-Imagn images)
Now, Minnesota goes home, where 4-1 is in the playoffs. Game 3 is Saturday in Minneapolis.
