**NBA Referee Scott Foster Injured During Playoff Game**
**Meta Description:** NBA referee Scott Foster suffered a facial injury during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Thunder and Timberwolves.
**URL Slug:** nba-referee-scott-foster-injury-playoff-game
**Scott Foster Injured in Western Conference Finals Game**
In a dramatic turn of events during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday night, NBA referee Scott Foster sustained a significant facial injury. The incident occurred while officiating the matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Foster, a veteran referee with nearly three decades of experience, was bloodied after being struck in the face while overseeing a jump ball between Lu Dort and Julius Randle in the first quarter.
As Dort descended from the jump, he inadvertently collided with Foster, causing the referee to immediately rush to the scorer’s table, clutching his nose to prevent blood from spilling onto the court. Medical staff quickly attended to him, providing towels and assistance as he attempted to staunch the bleeding.
Foster, who has been officiating NBA games since the 1994-95 season, is often referred to as “the extender” due to a peculiar trend where teams trailing in playoff series tend to win games he officiates. This reputation has made him a notable figure in the league, particularly among fans and players alike.
Adding to the intrigue, Chris Paul, a player known for his struggles in games officiated by Foster, was present courtside during the incident. Historically, Paul has a dismal record of 3-17 in playoff games where Foster was the referee.
Despite the injury to Foster, the Thunder managed to secure a 2-0 series lead, thanks in part to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive performance, scoring 38 points just a day after being named the NBA’s MVP. “I feel like all my emotions were so high, but I was a little bit tired out there, especially at the start,” Gilgeous-Alexander remarked. “I was a little too juiced up. Special moment. I’m happy we won, so I can really enjoy the last couple of days and soak it up.”
The Thunder’s victory was further supported by Jalen Williams, who contributed 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Chet Holmgren added 22 points. Although the Timberwolves managed to narrow the gap to 10 points in the final quarter, Oklahoma City maintained control to secure a 118-103 win. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 32 points, though it took him 26 shots to achieve that total. Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker also made significant contributions with 22 and 17 points, respectively.
As the series shifts to Minnesota, where the Timberwolves hold a 4-1 playoff record at home, Game 3 is set for Saturday in Minneapolis, promising more excitement in this competitive playoff series.
**FAQ**
**What happened to NBA referee Scott Foster during the game?**
Scott Foster was injured when he was accidentally struck in the face by player Lu Dort during a jump ball in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. He was treated for a facial injury on the court.