Veteran official Scott Foster is one of 12 referees chosen to call games during the 2024 NBA Finals series between the Celtics and Mavericks.
Foster, who joined the officiating staff 30 years ago, is the most experienced referee who will work the series; This year he marks the 17th Finals series he will officiate. While the honor reaffirms Foster’s position as one of the league’s most successful referees, he is also one of its most controversial.
As Foster walks between the lines to call his first game of the 2024 NBA Finals, fans are wondering about Boston’s success when he is the crew chief. Here’s more on how the Celtics perform when Foster officiates.
Boston Celtics record with Scott Foster
The Celts were 6-0 in six games Foster officiated during the 2023-24 regular season. Throughout his career, Foster has called 133 Celtics games in the regular season. Boston is 73-60 in those games.
During the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Foster has been the crew chief for an additional selection of Celtics games, including the team’s Game 1 victory over the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and a victory in the Game 2 over the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
When evaluating Boston’s track record under Foster, it’s important to note that the team had one of the most dominant regular seasons in NBA history and is in the process of orchestrating one of the most dominant playoff runs. Foster is one of eight officials who called at least four Celtics games in 2023-24 and did not suffer a loss.
Of the 71 officials who called Celtics games in 2023-24, only one saw more than two losses in person.
NBA Finals Officials
Here are the 12 referees who have been chosen to call the NBA Finals games:
- Tony Brothers (13th NBA Finals)
- James Capers (12th NBA Final)
- Marc Davis (13th NBA Final)
- Scott Foster (17th NBA Finals)
- John Goble (8th NBA Finals)
- David Guthrie (7th NBA Finals)
- Bill Kennedy (6th NBA Finals)
- Courtney Kirkland (fourth NBA Finals)
- Kevin Scott (second NBA Finals)
- Josh Tiven (fifth NBA Finals)
- James Williams (fourth NBA Finals)
- Zach Zarba (11th NBA Finals)
Boston Celtics record with NBA Finals officials
Here is Boston’s regular season record with each of the 12 referees assigned to the NBA Finals:
| Official | Record |
| tony brothers | 2-1 (.667) |
| James Alcaparras | 2-0 (1,000) |
| marc davis | 4-2 (.667) |
| Scott Foster | 6-0 (1,000) |
| Juan Goble | 1-0 (1,000) |
| David Guthrie | 4-1 (.800) |
| Bill Kennedy | 5-0 (1,000) |
| Courtney Kirkland | 4-0 (1,000) |
| kevin scott | 2-0 (1,000) |
| Josh Tiven | 4-2 (.667) |
| James Williams | 3-3 (.500) |
| Zach Zarba | 3-1 (.750) |
Keep in mind that the Celtics posted a 64-18 record in 2023-24 and won 15 of their first 17 games for a cumulative record of 79-20 in their quest for an NBA title.
