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[Saba Sports News] The man known as “The Extender” may now be facing an extended absence.
Longtime NBA referee Scott Foster, who served as crew chief for Monday’s matchup between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, was noticeably absent in the fourth quarter. Instead, Tre Maddox and Evan Scott finished the game as a two-man officiating crew.
On Tuesday, the NBA provided an update on Foster’s status, revealing that the veteran referee exited due to a calf injury. As reported by The Athletic’s Fred Katz, there is currently no timetable for his return.
Foster, 57, is one of the NBA’s most experienced referees, now in his 30th season and having officiated over 1,900 games, including both regular-season and playoff contests.
However, he’s also arguably the league’s most infamous ref, known for his clashes with star players and a reputation—at least among fans—for extending playoff series by favoring teams on the brink of elimination.
A calf injury could be a significant setback for Foster, especially given the physical demands of refereeing. With the NBA playoffs less than a month away, his availability for the postseason is now uncertain. If he’s unable to return in time, the league’s most talked-about referee might be missing from the biggest stage of the year.