Pacers vs. Thunder NBA Finals: Indiana coach Rick Carlisle calls criticism of referee Scott Foster "awful," "stupid"
OKLAHOMA CITY — Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on Sunday decried the swell of public criticism of the officiating that flowed following the Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 4 win in the 2025 NBA Finals, describing the carping on perceived mistaken calls and non-calls — specifically those involving longtime NBA referee Scott Foster — as, among other things, 'awful' and 'stupid.'
During his news conference at Indiana's Sunday practice session ahead of Game 5 on Monday, Carlisle fielded a question about how much of a role he felt the officiating played in Game 4, which featured 53 personal fouls, two flagrant fouls, two technical fouls and 71 total free throws — all high-water marks for the series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10 of those free throws, including eight in the fourth quarter, as part of a 15-point final frame that helped Oklahoma City erase a 10-point third-quarter deficit to tie the series at two games apiece.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle speaks with referee Josh Tiven during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Foster, who's been officiating NBA games since 1992, called 23 of those fouls, according to analysis by Yahoo Sports contributing NBA writer Tom Haberstroh:
Some fans and pundits called foul on the elevated total number of calls in general, and the number of times Foster blew his whistle in particular. Carlisle made clear on Sunday he found the critiques offensive.
Advertisement
'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 said. 'I've known Scott Foster for 30 years. He's a great official. He's done a great job in these playoffs. We've had him a lot of times, and the ridiculous scrutiny that's being thrown out there is terrible, and unfair, and unjust. It's stupid.'
Asked which critiques specifically he'd seen and was referring to, Carlisle declined to elaborate.
'I'm not getting into it,' he said. 'I've said what I'm going to say.'
After Game 4, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said he didn't see anything untoward in the uptick in whistles — referred to by one reporter as 'a crap-ton of free throws.'
'Well, there were a crap-ton of fouls — that's why there were a crap-ton of free throws,' Daigneault said. 'I thought the refs did a good job tonight. Both teams shot a lot of free throws. It was physical. That was what the game was. It was a physical game on both ends of the floor for both teams.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Isaiah Hartenstein to start for Thunder vs Pacers in NBA Finals Game 4
INDIANAPOLIS — Isaiah Hartenstein will start over Cason Wallace in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on is back in the starting lineup after holding that role for most of the regular season and the first three rounds of the playoffs. Wallace started the first three games of the Finals over Hartenstein, as OKC opted to go with a smaller is averaging 5.3 points and 6.7 rebounds off the bench this series. He's shooting 60% from the hasn't gone with its double-big lineup that features Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren often in the Finals. The duo has played a combined 10 minutes together through three games with a net rating of 4 is set for 7:30 p.m. CT Friday in Indianapolis (ABC). Indiana holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. More: Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals Game 4 live updates: Score prediction, time, where to watch Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Isaiah Hartenstein to start for Thunder vs Pacers in NBA Finals Game 4
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NBA Finals Game 4 box score, stats: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder tie series vs Pacers
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The Oklahoma City Thunder is headed home with an even series in the NBA Finals, fresh off winning the most important fourth quarter of its season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder rallied for a 111-104 win against the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Advertisement It'll be a best-of-three series for the NBA title. Here's a look at the box score. 5 TAKEAWAYS: Thunder wills its way to Game 4 win vs Pacers, evens NBA Finals More: Thunder vs Pacers score: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC rally past Indiana to tie NBA Finals NBA Finals Game 4: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers box score, stats NBA Finals schedule: Thunder vs. Pacers All times are Central This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA Finals Game 4 stats: OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers box score
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
OKC Thunder wills its way to Game 4 win vs Pacers, evens NBA Finals
INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrese Haliburton waived his towel in excitement late in the third quarter. Pat McAfee gave his WWE-esque monologue early in the fourth quarter. And the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse fed into all of it, as it celebrated what looked to be an Indiana win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Advertisement Then OKC crashed the party. The Thunder escaped with a 111-104 road win to tie the series at 2-2. OKC outscored Indiana 31-17 in the fourth quarter, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of his team's last 16 points. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points and three rebounds. Jalen Williams also recorded 27 points and seven rebounds, and Chet Holmgren posted a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Here are four more takeaways from the game: More: NBA Finals Game 4 box score, stats: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder tie series vs Pacers Indiana targeted Isaiah Hartenstein early and often in his first Finals start Isaiah Hartenstein shuffled his feet inside the paint as he saw the play unfold. Advertisement He knew what was coming his way. It was a pick and roll by Indiana, which set its sights on attacking the 7-foot center midway through the first quarter. Hartenstein could read the play with ease, but stopping it wasn't so simple. Obi Toppin's screen forced Hartenstein to switch onto Andrew Nembhard, who quickly gave the ball back to Toppin for an open floater that found the bottom of the net. The Thunder opted to start Hartenstein over Cason Wallace on Friday with a plan to give its first unit some more size. But for the Pacers, it gave them a bigger target. Indiana repeatedly placed Hartenstein in the pick and roll and found success more times than not. He ended the night with two points and six rebounds in 21 minutes, and he posted a team-worst plus-minus of negative-7. Advertisement More: How 2025 NBA Finals became Canadian showcase with OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, others Jalen Williams stepped up as a shot creator Muscle memory kicked in once Williams caught a pass on the wing late in the second quarter. His first instinct was to swing the ball to Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's Most Valuable Player and scoring champion. But Williams stopped himself from doing that once he realized his superstar teammate was being smothered by Nembhard. That's when a different instinct kicked in — a killer instinct. Williams dribbled the ball between his legs twice before he used a crossover to blow past Toppin. He then sank a scoop layup at the rim. Advertisement On a night when Nembhard was stuck to Gilgeous-Alexander like Canadian maple syrup, Williams got OKC out of numerous sticky situations. Williams stepped up as a shot creator, and he bought Gilgeous-Alexander time to find his rhythm when it mattered the most down the stretch. The Jalen Williams Way How OKC Thunder forward paved a path to stardom, NBA Finals INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 13: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers defends a shot from Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 13, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Alex Caruso helped OKC will its way to a win Alex Caruso goes from the most beloved man to the most berated man, depending on which crowd he's playing in front of. For every ounce of love he receives from the Thunder fans at Paycom Center, he receives an equal amount of hate from Pacers fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Advertisement But the only consistent passion is the one he plays with. With OKC on the verge of falling into a 3-1 series hole, Caruso helped his team claw its way out. The veteran guard finished with 20 points and five steals in 30 minutes off the bench. CARLSON: NBA Finals being altered by 'self-made guys' Alex Caruso, T.J. McConnell OKC is back in the driver's seat of this wild ride of an NBA Finals OKC didn't just steal a Game 4 win. It stole the momentum of the Finals. The series is now tied at 2-2, and the Thunder will host two of the final three games. OKC is 9-2 at home this postseason. Game 5 is set for 7:30 p.m. CT Monday in Oklahoma City (ABC). Advertisement More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has brushed past legacy. NBA Finals will put him in elite company. Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@ or on X/Twitter at @JTheSportsDude. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder wills its way to Game 4 win over Pacers, evens NBA Finals
