After a heated Game 4 in the 2025 NBA Finals where officiating came under fire, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defended veteran referee Scott Foster, labeling the criticism as "awful" and "stupid." The game saw an unprecedented 53 personal fouls and 71 free throws, with Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring crucial points from the line. Carlisle, who has known Foster for three decades, insisted that the scrutiny faced by the officiating crew is unjust, particularly against Foster's performance during these playoffs.

Following the game, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault downplayed the calls, attributing the high foul count to the physical nature of the match. As the series shifts to Game 5, the focus remains sharp on officiating standards and its impact on championship outcomes, with both coaches maintaining firm stances on the officiating quality.