Ahead of Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle came to the defense of referee Scott Foster.

The Oklahoma City Thunder outright stole Game 4 from the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals and many are pointing to the refs being the reason why. The Pacers' bench boss doesn't agree with that thought process.

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle came to the defense of veteran NBA referee Scott Foster on Sunday, pushing back against what he called “ridiculous scrutiny” following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 4 comeback win in the NBA Finals.

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle took exception to criticism levied at officiating in the NBA Finals, specifically the rebukes of Scott Foster.

The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder are tied at two games apiece in the NBA Finals, though the Thunder hold home-court advantage and have the momentum.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Indiana Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle crossed the practice court Sunday and smirked when he realized a line of video cameras and cellphones was tracking his every step. “There’s nothing exciting going on over here,” he said.

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle offered an impassioned and somewhat unprompted defense of referee Scott Foster, evidently aware of mountains of online criticism.

Indiana Pacers' coach Rick Carlisle defended referee Scott Foster amidst online criticism following a perceived missed call in Game 4 of the NBA Final

Indiana coach Rick Carlisle offered an impassioned and somewhat unprompted defense of referee Scott Foster on Sunday, evidently aware of the mountains of online criticism that came after Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has his team hunting a massive upset in the NBA Finals. It’s not the first time—just ask LeBron James.