OKLAHOMA CITY – NBA announced Sunday that James Capers, Josh Tiven, and Sean Wright will officiate Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers are set to clash for the title at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. This marks the first Game 7 appearance in the Finals for each referee. With this ref appointment, they become the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th officials in league history to call a Finals Game 7.
NBA Makes Big Ref Announcement For Game 7 of Finals
“Being selected to work the NBA Finals is the top honor as an NBA official,” NBA president of league operations Byron Spruell said, as quoted by NBA.com. A Game 7 assignment, therefore, stands as the pinnacle of recognition.
A Surprising Omission
Many regard veteran referee Scott Foster as one of the league’s most experienced and respected officials. The league left him off the crew. Foster has officiated 26 Finals games across 18 series. Many expected him to lead the Game 7 Ref crew.
Had Foster been selected, he would have joined a select group of referees with three or more Finals Game 7s. That group includes officiating legends like Mendy Rudolph and Earl Strom.
There was an outcry — particularly among Pacers supporters — about Foster’s role in Game 4. However, Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle defended the veteran.
“I think it’s awful some of the things I’ve seen about the officiating and Scott Foster in particular,” Carlisle said, according to the Athletic. “He is a great official. He has done a great job in these playoffs.”
Game 7 Referee History and Crew Details
Capers, who is calling his 13th Finals, officiated Indiana’s Game 3 win. Wright and Tiven were part of the Game 4 crew in Oklahoma City’s victory. All three refs are now stepping into the spotlight after the Game 7 assignment.
James Williams will serve as the alternate referee. He worked Games 2 and 5, making him the most used referee in this Finals. The NBA will station David Guthrie, who officiated Games 1 and 6, in the replay center in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Coaching Perspectives on Officiating
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault addressed officiating concerns broadly ahead of Sunday’s game.
“The outcome of the game and the context of the game is outside of our control,” Daigneault said, according to NBA.com. “We can’t control how they call the game. We can control a lot of other things in the game, and that’s what we need to focus on.” His remarks suggest a focus on performance rather than whistle-related distractions.
The Stakes and the Spotlight
As the Thunder and Pacers prepare for the ultimate contest, the league has taken care in choosing a referee trio that avoids further controversy. Foster’s absence may signal the NBA’s sensitivity to the growing social media scrutiny surrounding officials.
Still, Capers, Tiven, and Wright now carry the pressure and privilege of deciding a championship. Their performance will be under the microscope, as every foul, whistle, and no-call will alter the course of NBA history.
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