Scott Foster 'The Extender,' explained: How controversial NBA referee got his nickname
Scott Foster 'The Extender,' explained: How controversial NBA referee got his nickname originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Right or wrong, few officials in sports are as notable as the NBA's Scott Foster.
Foster, who wears No. 48, has been an NBA official since 1994 and has called over 20 games in the NBA Finals. Throughout his officiating career, Foster has made headlines with a longstanding feud with Chris Paul , his (un)familiarity with rapper Jack Harlow and, notably, a tendency that led to him earning the nickname, "The Extender.
" How did Foster earn this nickname? Here's why the moniker has stuck with the veteran official. MORE: Inside Kevin Durant's playoff record since leaving the Warriors Scott Foster 'The Extender,' explained Foster is called "The Extender" because fans have speculated that teams tend to stave off elimination when Foster is a member of the game's officiating crew.
It's a nickname that often re-appears when Foster is assigned to an elimination game in the NBA playoffs. For example, in 2024, Foster was on the call when the Timberwolves faced a 3-0 series deficit to the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. Coincidence or not, Minnesota avoided a sweep with a five-point road win over Dallas.
In response to Foster's alleged role in the series being extended by a game, 11-year NBA veteran Gilbert Arenas took to X (formerly Twitter) to add fuel to the fire of The Extender's narrative. Arenas' post was simple: Foster's headshot with text reading "series extended" at the bottom. pic.
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