NBA fans were unhappy after learning which referees will be in charge of officiating the 2025 NBA playoff semifinals. After a first round in which referees were under the spotlight over their decisions in multiple games, fans are still uncomfortable with certain officials who will work in the second round.
Steph Curry called out referees after Game 4 against the Houston Rockets, Caitlin Clark directly asked a referee to give the Indiana Pacers some calls during their Milwaukee Bucks series, and Lakers fans were upset when John Goble was one of the refs in charge of their Game 5 series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which they lost.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) speaks to referee Pat Fraher.Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
The league announced on Saturday the list of officials who will work in the Conference Semifinals of this year’s postseason. Tony Brothers, Marc Davis, and Scott Foster were among the list of referees.
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Those three names caught a lot of attention, as fans didn’t hesitate to criticize their designation.
“marc davis should not be allowed to officiate nuggets games,” one fan said.
“Sony Brothers and Scott Foster. Satan’s greatest soldiers,” another fan said.
“How the (expletive) did Goble and Ben Taylor make this,” a fourth fan asked.
There’s no love lost between NBA fans and many of these referees. Some of them have built a reputation over the years, and others have made decisions that rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. The 2025 NBA Finals draw closer, and the expectations and pressure on referees get heavier.
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Time will tell how they ended up performing, but many fans have voiced their concerns with some designations.
Related: Draymond Green Fires Veiled Shot at Referees After Warriors-Rockets