The NBA postseason is renowned for its physicality. During Thursday night's matchup between the Thunder and Timberwolves, that dynamic resurfaced...albeit in an unexpected way.
Infamous referee Scott Foster captured headlines once more, this time for the most gruesome of facial injuries.
Here's what you need to know.
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Scott Foster injury update
Foster was felled by a rather peculiar injury less than two minutes into Thursday's contest. While tossing a ball skyward for a jump ball between Lu Dort and Julius Randle, the veteran referee was caught by a stray leg and a stray hand from Dort.
NBA ref Scott Foster was bloodied, resulting in a delay, after getting hit in the face on a jump ball during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. 🏀🦓🤕 #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/pOLukdN6HG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 23, 2025
Streams of scarlet poured down his face as he sulked to the sideline. He appeared to be holding his tooth as he made his way to the scorer's table, though that's not confirmed.
One thing that's certain is that Foster injured his nose on the play.
After a brief stoppage, Foster returned to the floor. His nose was cloaked in a mound of gauze.
Scott Foster injured with a bloody nose after getting hit during a jump ball in Wolves-Thunder game 😳 pic.twitter.com/UHbQBERUSv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 23, 2025
Foster is no stranger to in-game injuries. "The Extender" recently returned to action after sustaining a calf injury while officiating a match between the Heat and the Knicks on March 18.
Here's hoping his latest ailment won't be quite as damaging.