Chris Paul Had Two-Word Description for Feud With NBA Ref Scott Foster After Ejection

The Golden State Warriors point guard and longtime official have a feud that goes beyond the basketball floor, according to Paul.
Chris Paul Had Two-Word Description for Feud With NBA Ref Scott Foster After Ejection
Chris Paul Had Two-Word Description for Feud With NBA Ref Scott Foster After Ejection /

Warriors guard Chris Paul bluntly addressed his ejection on Wednesday night that resurfaced his longstanding feud with NBA referee Scott Foster.

“It’s personal,” Paul told reporters when asked about his exit from Golden State’s 123–115 loss to the Suns in Phoenix.

Referee Scott Foster and Warriors guard Chris Paul during Golden State's game against the Suns on Nov. 22, 2023.
Referee Scott Foster and Warriors guard Chris Paul during Golden State's game against the Suns on Nov. 22, 2023 / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

“We had a situation some years ago, and it’s personal. … It’s a situation with my son. … I’ve got to do a better job of making sure I stay on the floor for my teammates, but yeah, that’s that.”

When asked to elaborate on the situation involving his son and Foster, Paul alluded to a meeting that took place during his time with the Clippers involving multiple parties, including his former coach Doc Rivers and former official Bob Delaney.

“I had a meeting with [Foster], my dad, Doc Rivers, Bob Delaney and all them. … It was a whole thing, and it’s still been a thing for a while.”

Although it’s unclear exactly what caused the rift off the floor between Paul and Foster, the tension on the court has been palpable. As a member of the Suns last spring, the future Hall of Fame point guard finally ended a 13-game playoff losing streak in games officiated by Foster. 

Wednesday night’s chapter began with Paul arguing a foul call and ended with Foster issuing the point guard two technical fouls and the resulting ejection.

There seems to be no end in sight to the tension between these two, and it will continue to be a storyline whenever Foster is assigned games involving Paul and the Warriors moving forward.


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Mike McDaniel
MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.