Scott Foster’s injury during Western Conference Finals Game 2 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves added a dramatic and unexpected twist to Thursday night’s high-stakes playoff matchup.
The 58-year-old NBA referee was hit in the face after a chaotic jump ball midway through the first quarter. As Thunder forward Luguentz Dort attempted to contest the tip against Julius Randle, his hand veered off-target and struck Foster directly in the face. Simultaneously, Randle’s foot made contact with Foster’s midsection, delivering an accidental kick to the stomach.
The impact left Scott Foster with a bloody nose, prompting a brief delay as trainers rushed to provide medical attention courtside. Despite the visible injury and discomfort, Foster remained in the game — underscoring the veteran referee’s toughness and professionalism.
This Scott Foster injury isn’t his first this season. He previously exited a regular-season game between the New York Knicks and Miami Heat due to a calf issue. But Thursday’s incident caught wider attention not just for the on-court collision — but because of who witnessed it from the sidelines.
Chris Paul, sidelined for the game but present for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP presentation, has a long and turbulent history with Foster. The Chris Paul Scott Foster feud has become something of NBA lore. Paul has publicly criticized Foster’s officiating and holds a striking 3-17 career playoff record in games refereed by Foster — a statistic the guard has mentioned on multiple occasions.
Their conflict dates back to 2018, when Chris Paul was ejected by Scott Foster during a regular-season game and expressed frustration afterward:
“That’s Scott Foster at his finest,” Paul said. “You just gotta figure out who you can and can’t [communicate] with. I got a tech tonight. That’s history there. He’s the man — that’s who they pay to see.”
The irony of Paul witnessing Scott Foster bloodied during Game 2 wasn’t lost on fans familiar with their clashes. Social media lit up with memes and commentary as soon as the injury occurred — with some users jokingly speculating whether Paul might consider it karmic payback.
Nevertheless, Foster’s decision to return to officiating after the hit showcased the same unshakable resolve that has defined his lengthy NBA career.
As the Thunder vs Timberwolves 2025 playoff series intensifies, it’s clear that the drama isn’t confined to just players and points — sometimes the spotlight finds the officials too.
