Referees picked by the NBA for Game 7 are James Capers, Josh Tiven, Sean Wright
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — James Capers, Josh Tiven and Sean Wright joined a very small club on Sunday.
Capers, Tiven and Wright were announced by the NBA as the officiating crew for Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. It's the first Game 7 of a finals for all three, who are now the 22nd, 23rd and 24th referees in NBA history to land such an assignment.
'Being selected to work the NBA Finals is the top honor as an NBA official,' Byron Spruell, the NBA's president of league operations, said earlier this month when the 12-person list of finals referees was revealed.
And Game 7, one would think, is the top of the top honors.
Scott Foster, a two-time Game 7 finals referee and generally considered one of the best in the game, was not picked for the crew. Had he been, he would have become the seventh referee picked to work at least three Game 7s in the title series. The referees in NBA history who have worked that many are Mendy Rudolph (six), Earl Strom (five), Sid Borgia (four), Dan Crawford (three), Joe Crawford (three) and Richie Powers (three).
Foster — who is frequently criticized online by fans — was defended by Indiana coach Rick Carlisle after Game 4, notable because it was a game that the Pacers lost.
'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 before Game 5. '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.'
The NBA had 75 full-time officials this season and 36 of those were selected to work the first round of the playoffs. The officiating roster is further trimmed going into each playoff round, with the league's referee operations management team determining who should advance.
Capers is working his 13th finals, Tiven his sixth and Wright is in the finals for only the second time. It's the second game of these finals for all three referees — Capers worked Indiana's win in Game 3, while Wright and Tiven were both on the crew for Oklahoma City's win in Game 4.
Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
James Williams, who worked Games 2 and 5 of the series, was picked as the alternate for Game 7. David Guthrie, who officiated Games 1 and 6, was the referee assigned to the replay center in Secaucus, New Jersey, for Game 7.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault addressed officiating — and how he and his team respect referees — from a general perspective Saturday, when asked how his team has avoided being called for very many technical fouls this season.
'The outcome of the game and the context of the game is outside of our control,' Daigneault said. 'In between the lines is inside our control. The referees (are) in that category, too. We can't control how they call the game and what they put a whistle on and what they don't. We can control a lot of other things in the game, and that's what we need to focus on.'
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Raptors left out as Kevin Durant traded from Suns to Rockets
Kevin Durant is on the move again and mercifully, rumours that he'd become a Raptor can officially be put to rest. Article content Durant was dealt Sunday by the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets, ESPN first reported, though it can't become official until July 6 due to a contractual issue with incoming Phoenix guard Jalen Green (who also might be re-routed since the Suns already have Devin Booker and Bradley Beal needing guard minutes). Article content Article content Article content While various teams had been pursuing the all-time great scoring forward, the offers had been underwhelming, which is partly why the Raptors became a buzzy potential landing spot in recent weeks as the Suns tried to get the price up. While Toronto had some interest, it wasn't to the extent Phoenix had hoped to portray. Article content In the end, the 15-time all-star, who turns 37 in September but still averaged 26.6 points a game last season for the disappointing Suns, didn't go for all that much. Green, taken second overall in 2021, averaged 21 points, but has poor shot selection and a lot of growing still to do. He has so far been eclipsed by draft mates like Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, Franz Wagner, former teammate Alperen Sengun and Trey Murphy III. Phoenix also receives the 10th pick of Wednesday's draft (which funnily enough belonged to Phoenix originally before it was dealt to Brooklyn as part of the trade that brought Durant to the Valley of the Sun, before the Nets traded it on to the Rockets), Canadian national team starter Dillon Brooks and five second round picks. Article content Despite Durant's age and injury history, the deal seems like a no-brainer for Houston, which finished second in the tough Western Conference last season and is coached by Durant's favourite, Ime Udoka. Durant had hoped to return to Texas. He burst onto the scene with one of the greatest freshman seasons in NCAA history back in 2006-07 while playing in Austin. The Rockets didn't have to surrender promising big man Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard, the second pick last year, or even intriguing guard Cam Whitmore. Article content With Durant and Sengun, they have a pair of spectacular offensive talents, a young defensive dynamo in Amen Thompson, Smith and Tari Eason helping up front and veteran former Raptor Fred VanVleet at point guard. Article content Phoenix failed to get a high-end prospect or top of the lottery draft pick and still has a gigantic hole at centre and no traditional starting level point guard while retaining all kinds of salary cap issues.
The Province
an hour ago
- The Province
The final act of the NBA Finals: 2 teams, 1 game, 1 trophy. Pacers at Thunder will decide a champion
Published Jun 21, 2025 • 4 minute read Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts a shot against Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Photo by POOL/AFP/File / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA OKLAHOMA CITY — It started with 30 teams, most of them fairly optimistic about their chances when the season began eight months and 1,320 games and 35,543 3-pointers and 299,608 points ago. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Only two teams remain. For one game. Game 7. The NBA season ends Sunday night when the Indiana Pacers visit the Oklahoma City Thunder to decide which team will hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy, take over for the Boston Celtics as champions and become the league's seventh different title winner in the last seven years. It's the first winner-take-all game in the NBA since 2016, when Cleveland beat Golden State. 'I'm very much looking forward to Game 7,' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. 'The last time we've had one of these in the finals, I think, was '16. These are special moments certainly for both teams but for our league, for the game, for the worldwide interest in the game. It's a time to celebrate.' Yes, but only one team will celebrate Sunday night. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. For the Pacers, it would be a first NBA title and the capper to a season that started with Indiana banged up and getting off to a 10-15 record through the first 25 games. No team has ever been below .500 that deep into a season and went on to win a championship. For the Thunder, it would be a first NBA title — kind of, sort of, Seattle won one in 1979 and even though the franchise moved to Oklahoma City from there, the Thunder don't recognize it as one of their own — and wrap up a season in which the team scored more points than any other club in NBA history and posted the best record. 'We have to understand the work is done and we have to trust the work,' Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said Saturday, the final practice day of the season. 'The muscle is built. We have to flex that muscle. That's what tomorrow will come down to for us.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It has been the epitome of a back-and-forth series, with both teams having the lead at some point. Indiana led 1-0 and 2-1; Oklahoma City led 3-2 but got blown out in Game 6, its first chance at winning the title. So, here we are, tied at 3-3, one game away from a decision. 'Grateful for the opportunity,' Thunder guard Jalen Williams said. 'That's one thing I can say is throughout the whole entire thing, you always have to remain grateful for where you are because there's a lot of NBA players that will trade their spot with me right now. That's how I look at it. But as far as history, I want to be on the good side of that, for sure.' Oklahoma City has looked every bit the part of a championship contender all year; going 68-14 in the regular season cemented the Thunder into the favourite's role. Being the best team in the regular season is for this very privilege, to play host for Game 7. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Pacers peaked at the right time and took the more circuitous route here. But they've already started this series with a win in Oklahoma City. They see no reason why it can't end the same way. 'I think we just have done a great job of just staying together,' Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said. 'There's not a group of guys I'd rather go to war with. I'm really excited to compete with these guys in a Game 7, and it's going to be a lot of fun.' Haliburton's health The strained right calf is still an issue for Haliburton, but he played in Game 6 with the injury and — no surprise — he's going to play in Game 7. 'I'm pretty much in the same standpoint I was before Game 6,' Haliburton said. 'A little sore. Good thing I only had to play like 23 minutes. I've been able to get even more treatment and do more things. Just trying to take care of it the best I can. But I'll be ready to go for Game 7.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Counting all games this season, Oklahoma City's two lowest-scoring outputs were 81 points against Milwaukee and 91 points against Indiana. The Bucks game was in the NBA Cup final. The Pacers game was Game 6, when OKC had a chance to win the NBA title. So, in the two 'championship' games the Thunder have played this season, they're averaging 86 points. In all other games, they're averaging 119.7 points. 'We obviously have to get better offensively,' Thunder guard and NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'Last game, clearly, was not good enough and not going to cut it, and we know that. We watch film for those type of things. You have games like that. Now, it sucks to have it at that stage obviously, but we know we have to be better, for sure.' Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks News Hockey
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Suns trade Kevin Durant to Rockets for Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, 6 draft picks: reports
Social Sharing The Houston Rockets are acquiring 15-time all-star and four-time Olympic gold medallist Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster deal struck Sunday, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The Rockets are giving up Canadian Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and six future picks — including the No. 10 selection in Wednesday's opening round of this year's draft — according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval. It ends weeks of speculation about where Durant would end up. Many teams were involved at various times, including Miami and Minnesota, but in the end Phoenix took the Rockets' offer. ESPN first reported the trade. Fans learned of the news while Durant was on stage in New York at Fanatics Fest NYC, and when they began reacting, Durant started smiling broadly. "We're gonna see, man," Durant said from the stage. "We're gonna see." Boardroom, the ever-growing media company that Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, co-founded in 2019 teams up with Fanatics on a number of projects. The panel that Durant was set to appear on there Sunday was called "Global Game Changers." He certainly figures to change the game for Houston. Houston finished No. 2 in the Western Conference in the regular season, albeit 16 games behind No. 1 Oklahoma City. It now adds a two-time champion to its young core as it looks to make another jump next season. Durant averaged 26.6 points this season, his 17th in the NBA — not counting one year missed because of injury. For his career, the six-foot-eleven forward is averaging 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game. The move brings Durant back to the state of Texas, where he played his one year of college basketball for the Longhorns and was the college player of the year before going as the No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft by Seattle. Houston will become his fifth franchise, joining the SuperSonics (who then became the Oklahoma City Thunder), Golden State, Brooklyn and Phoenix. Durant won his two titles with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and last summer in Paris he became the highest-scoring player in U.S. Olympic basketball history and the first men's player to be part of four gold-medal teams.
