Pacers fans irate at Scott Foster after outrageous flagrant call

For the second straight contest, Oklahoma City Thunder wing Alex Caruso finds himself at the center of a controversial foul call. Oddly enough, it was a near-identical situation, but the officials in Game 3 saw it differently from the crew in Game 4. Things like this happen when the NBA turns to referee Scott "The Extender" Foster, though that doesn't make Indiana Pacers fans feel any better.

A turnover by Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton midway through the second quarter resulted in a Caruso fast-break opportunity the other way. Considering this is the Finals, Indiana's Obi Toppin tried to do what he could to prevent an easy layup. However, the high-flying big man may have been a little too physical, at least according to Foster and his fellow refs.

Foster deemed Toppin's contact a "non-basketball play," triggering a Flagrant 1 foul that riled up Pacers fans everywhere.

Pacers fans can't believe Scott Foster's flagrant ruling in Game 4

After review, Foster couldn't even finish his sentence before being serenaded by booes from the Indiana faithful in attendance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The "Cob Mob" made it well-known that they were not happy with the ruling.

Everyone watching had a sense of déjà vu after watching Caruso running down the floor with a head of steam and a Pacers defender trailing. We just saw a similar occurrence roughly 48 hours ago with him and Indiana swingman Aaron Nesmith, which was ultimately only a common foul. The inconsistency speaks to how Foster and the zebras "have no idea what they're doing," as this X (formerly known as Twitter) user claims. Thunder fans were upset about how the first instance was officiated, so consider this a makeup call.

Setting the Pace's Alex Golden declared the Flagrant 1 on Toppin and double technical assessed to him and Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein "ridiculous." And frankly, when factoring in the Nesmith verdict, it's hard to disagree; he wrapped Caruso up from behind while Toppin was running alongside OKC's sparkplug.

There's no need to apologize, John -- your frustration is warranted. Toppin committed a good, hard playoff foul on the Association's grandest stage. It was a bang-bang play, and the whistle went in favor of the Thunder.

Obi Toppin, Pacers quickly get makeup call from Scott Foster in Game 4 of NBA Finals

Toppin was fouled on a drive to the paint that was abruptly halted by the Thunder's Luguentz Dort roughly four minutes of game time later. Foster went to the monitor (again) and decided that the criteria for a Flagrant 1 were met. Both sides picked up an infraction they probably shouldn't have, so no harm, no foul, we suppose (pun intended).

You be the judge. Do these calls look appropriate?