With the Thunder leaning into what they do best, they are now one win away from the NBA title — and feel inevitable at this point.

Ahead of Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle came to the defense of referee Scott Foster.

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle offered an impassioned and somewhat unprompted defense of referee Scott Foster, evidently aware of mountains of online criticism.

Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals takes place this Thursday, June 19, in Indianapolis as Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers host Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tip-off is at 8:30 PM ET on ABC. RELATED: No Pacers comeback this time, Thunder take 3-2 Finals lead with Game 5 win on night Haliburton hobbled

It didn’t happen without controversy, however. There was much criticism of referee Scott Foster after the game, after he missed an apparent offensive foul on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has his team hunting a massive upset in the NBA Finals. It’s not the first time—just ask LeBron James.

The New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau after losing to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Pacers started the season 10-15, but now they're two wins away from their first NBA championship. They've earned our respect.