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Warriors vs. Kings game 7: Who are the designated referees?

The NBA Referee Operations management team selects NBA referees, and the specific referees assigned to each game are announced on game day.

Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) pleads with referee Josh Tiven (right)
Darren YamashitaUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The referees for each NBA game are typically chosen based on their experience, performance, and availability. On game days, the NBA typically posts the assignments for referees at around 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

NBA:

For tonight’s last game of the playoffs, Round 1, between the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors, at the Golden 1 Center Arena, the NBA Referee Operations management team invited onboard these experienced NBA referees.

Kings vs. Warriors Game 7 referees

Scott Foster - Crew Chief

A seasoned NBA staff official Scott Foster, a 56-year-old from Ocean City, MD, has recently marked a milestone in his illustrious career. With 1,617 regular-season games officiated throughout 28 seasons, Foster has proven to be a stalwart in the league. Additionally, he has also overseen 226 playoff games, a feat that includes an impressive 23 NBA Finals appearances.

Notably, at the beginning of his career, he spent two years officiating games in the Continental Basketball Association and college basketball for the Southern and Big South conferences. In addition, he also honed his craft at the high school level in his home state of Maryland for a total of six years. Such a diverse background speaks to his adaptability and versatility as an official.

Kevin Scott - Referee

Kevin Scott, a seasoned NBA staff official, has amassed an impressive record of games officiated throughout his 11-year career. Having overseen 592 regular-season games and 25 playoff games, Scott has established himself as a respected figure in the league. For him, one of the most memorable assignments of his career was a quadruple-overtime game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Utah Jazz on March 25, 2012.

Scott’s experience as an official extends beyond the NBA. He spent four seasons in the NBA G League, where he earned the distinction of refereeing the playoffs from 2009-11 and working the Finals in 2011. Moreover, Scott boasts a wealth of experience officiating at the collegiate level. He has presided over games in the SEC for four years, the Southern Conference for six years, the Big South Conference for seven years, and the Atlantic Sun Conference for ten years. Such extensive experience at various levels of the sport speaks to Scott’s versatility and dedication to officiating.

Curtis Blair - Umpire

Curtis Blair’s career as an NBA staff official spans an impressive 14 seasons, during which he has presided over 769 regular-season games and 22 playoff games. In 2019, he achieved a notable milestone by making his playoff debut as an NBA referee. That same year, he was also selected to work the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte, an honor reserved for the most accomplished officials in the league.

Blair’s background in basketball extends beyond officiating. As a student at the University of Richmond, he played on the school’s 1991 basketball team, which famously upset second-seeded Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, setting the stage for his future career as an NBA official.

Blair’s involvement in basketball didn’t end there. In fact, he was selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 1992 NBA Draft and went on to play professionally in Australia, Austria, and Turkey. Such diverse experiences, both on and off the court, have undoubtedly informed Blair’s officiating approach and contributed to his success in the NBA.