Fans Voice Frustration Over Game 1 NBA Finals Officiating Crew

Game 1 of the NBA Finals is set for Wednesday night, with the New York Knicks traveling to San Antonio to take on the Spurs.

This marks the Spurs' first Finals appearance since 2014 - the last time they won a championship - while the Knicks are back on the stage for the first time since 1999, with their most recent title coming in 1973.

Ahead of tipoff, the NBA announced the officiating crew for the matchup, and fans were quick to react after it was revealed that one of the league's most polarizing referees, Scott Foster, will serve as crew chief.

Foster will lead the crew alongside referee James Capers and umpire Sean Wright, while Zach Zarba has been assigned as the replay official.

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"James Capers, the senior citizen who wouldn't grant Mitch Johnson a challenge despite looking him directly in the eyes," one fan said.

"Not Scott Foster… anyone but him," another added.

Another wrote, "Scott ‘The Extender' Foster in Game 1?"

"Foster favors home teams. Spurs, 1-0," a fan commented.

"Oh no," another reaction simply read.

The NBA selected 12 different officials for the Finals, meaning that while Scott Foster will be leading the crew in Game 1, it could be several games before he appears again - depending on how the league assigns crews on the morning of each matchup, when officials are typically announced.

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 11:14 AM.