DON'T get it twisted, J.J. McCarthy IS the Vikings starter
Can the Nuggets topple the Thunder? | The Kevin O'Connor Show
Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor and fantasy analyst Dan Titus preview the Western Conference semifinal series headlined by the two favorites for this year's Most Valuable Player award. Hear the full conversation on 'The Kevin O'Connor Show' and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Indianapolis Star
an hour ago
- Indianapolis Star
Pacers' Rick Carlisle calls criticism of official Scott Foster 'unfair, unjust and stupid'
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Pacers fans and even some members of the media laid some of the blame for Indiana's fourth-quarter collapse Friday in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on veteran official and crew chief Scott Foster. On Friday night Pacers coach Rick Carlisle noted that committing 10 fourth-quarter fouls was an issue, but then in practice day availability on Sunday in Oklahoma City, Carlisle rose passionately in the defense of Foster and the officiating. "As far as officiating, I think it's awful some of the things I've seen about the officiating, and Scott Foster in particular," Carlisle told reporters in Oklahoma City. "I've known Scott Foster for 30 years. He is a great official. He has done a great job in these playoffs. We've had him a lot of times. The ridiculous scrutiny that is being thrown out there is terrible and unfair and unjust and stupid." Carlisle was then asked what commentary came his way that he thought was particularly out of line. "I'm not getting into it," Carlisle said. "I've said what I'm going to say. If you have another question, ask it. If not, we'll move on." The reporter who asked did have another question on Pascal Siakam. Criticism of Foster was all over social media and the broader internet on Friday night and found some level of validation from Bill Simmons, former ESPN columnist and personality, and founder of The Ringer. On a podcast with The Ringer's Zach Lowe, Simmons called Foster's performance, "Just an abomination. It was typical Scott Foster. All-over-the-map. Just involved. Weird stoppages. Missed calls. Calling touch fouls then not calling somebody getting clubbed in the head. They had no control over this entire game. There was over 70 free throws. Both coaches were mad. Both benches were mad." Simmons didn't indicate that the Thunder were getting preference over the Pacers and did argue that fouls were called against the Thunder in the fourth quarter that hadn't been called all game. The Pacers were called for 27 personal fouls, but the Thunder were called for 26. The Pacers shot 33 free throws to the Thunder's 38. The Thunder were 12 of 14 from the line in the fourth quarter while the Pacers were 7 of 10 with Bennedict Mathurin missing three key free throws in the game's final minute.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defends NBA Finals referee Scott Foster after fan criticism
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defends NBA Finals referee Scott Foster after fan criticism Show Caption Hide Caption Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals is better than it's 'small-market' billing USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Sports Pulse Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle took exception Sunday to the criticism being levied at officiating during the NBA Finals, specifically the rebukes against Scott Foster. 'I think it's awful some of the things I've seen about officiating, and Scott Foster in particular,' Carlisle said Sunday, June 15. 'I've known Scott Foster for 30 years. He is a great official. He has done a great job in these playoffs. We've had him a lot of times. The ridiculous scrutiny that is being thrown out there is terrible and unfair and unjust and stupid.' Many Pacers and NBA fans had taken to social media to criticize Foster for his performance Friday night in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, an eventual 111-104 Oklahoma City Thunder victory that evened the series at 2-2. Both teams combined to shoot 71 free throws, including 38 by the Thunder. In particular, fans took exception to a play when Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pushed off against Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith on a drive toward the left baseline, before Gilgeous-Alexander drained a step-back jumper. Gilgeous-Alexander appeared to take an extra step on the play, though he stumbled as he gathered his feet; Foster was very near the play, observing the action from the baseline. Foster officiated Game 4 with Josh Tiven (sixth Finals) and Sean Wright (second Finals). On the NBA's Last Two-Minute Report, referee operations examined 17 plays at found they were all 'correct calls' or 'correct no-calls.' Foster had reffed one previous Pacers playoff game this season. Some fans have given Foster the nickname 'The Extender,' claiming that he has a history of making dubious calls during the playoffs that have extended series. OPINION: In grueling NBA Finals, Pacers may regret Game 4 loss ANALYSIS: NBA Finals TV ratings don't reflect complete picture Longtime NBA writer Tom Haberstroh, however, referenced a study that says there's 'not much evidence at all' of Foster's ability to 'extend' the series. Haberstroh said Foster called 23 fouls (11 on the Pacers, 12 on the Thunder), Tiven called 17 fouls (nine on the Pacers, eight on the Thunder) and Wright called 13 fouls (seven on the Pacers, six on the Thunder). Bill Simmons, the former writer and now media executive and podcaster, said of the game: 'It was just an abomination. It was a typical Scott Foster (game), all over the place, just involved like weird stoppages, missed calls, like calling touch fouls, then not calling somebody getting clubbed in the head. They had no control of this entire game.' How are NBA Finals referees selected? According to the NBA, playoff referees are selected, 'based on their overall performance throughout the first three rounds of the NBA Playoffs 2025. Officials were evaluated by the NBA Referee Operations management team after each round to determine advancement in this year's postseason.' Who is NBA referee Scott Foster? Foster is considered one of the best referees in the league. An official in his 30th season with the NBA, Foster entered this season having officiated 1,675 regular season games and 241 postseason games. Friday night was Foster's 25th time officiating an NBA Finals game. This is his 18th NBA Finals, overall. Foster is also a noted pickleball player.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Isaiah Hartenstein reacts to being a Thunder starter in Game 4 win over Pacers
Isaiah Hartenstein reacts to being a Thunder starter in Game 4 win over Pacers In a do-or-die situation, the Oklahoma City Thunder turned to their old reliable. They returned Isaiah Hartenstein as a starter and sent Cason Wallace to the bench. Even though they beat the Indiana Pacers in a Game 4 thriller, the starting lineup remains a question. The single-big lineup was a great move to make for the first two games. Chet Holmgren has played like his best basketball at center. The Thunder beat the Pacers twice in the regular season with it. Albeit it was with Hartenstein, as Holmgren was out in both matchups. The data made it the right preemptive move. But that backfired. Wallace has struggled on both ends in the NBA Finals. His playing time has dwindled. Mark Daigneault returned to Hartenstein and the starting lineup that won them three playoff rounds. Despite that, the Thunder got off to another slow start. They fell behind 20-12 to start. As OKC mounted a comeback, they went away with Hartenstein and had Alex Caruso close with the other four starters. For Hartenstein, the role change presented no problem. "I think he does a great job communicating throughout the season, throughout the playoffs what situations he's going to put you in. So I don't think you ever go in guessing," Hartenstein said on his conversations with Daigneault. "Even before this series started, he sat down with me and talked to me about it. I think he does a great job communicating that aspect." It'll be interesting to see who the Thunder start for an important Game 5. If they can go up 3-2 against the Pacers, they'll be in the driver's seat for the first time in the NBA Finals. You likely run back a similar gameplan where Hartenstein starts but Caruso closes if the game comes down to the final moments again.
