PHOENIX SUNS
Chris Paul alludes to 11th straight playoff loss officiated by Scott Foster
May 27, 2021, 11:29 PM | Updated: May 28, 2021, 1:22 am
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) argues a call during the first half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul had his mind on a particular stat following the team’s 109-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 on Thursday.
Paul on a postgame Zoom press conference was asked about his leadership with the team. While saying what he tries to do as the leader, Paul got to free throws in his answer. That’s where he wanted to allude to his complicated history with long-time NBA official Scott Foster.
“If I was a betting man, 11 games in a row,” Paul said. “11 games in a row.”
The 11 Paul is referring to is his 11th straight loss in the playoffs with Foster as an official. The stat went viral on Twitter as referee assignments came out, with Foster’s 0-10 mark reffing Paul’s last 10 playoff games dating all the way back to 2013.
Paul unprompted said “11 in a row” again on his answer for a question about his shoulder, and as he left his seat for the Zoom, said, “11 in a row is tough.”
Chris Paul redirected the end of his final three press conference questions tonight to the same stat: "11 games in a row." Paul's teams have lost 11 straight playoff games refereed by Scott Foster. pic.twitter.com/BvbZTGe3eX
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 28, 2021
When Paul was eliminated from the playoffs last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 against the Houston Rockets, Foster was in that game, and Paul didn’t mince words after.
“Scott Foster came over and told me, Chris, you ain’t got to do that I got them sweeping up the floor,” Paul said. “OK, cool, so I started tying my shoe back up and still got delay of game.
“That s— don’t make no sense. … We could have won the game, but that situation.”
“They’re going to fine me,” he added. “I said his name. We already know the history.”
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When Paul was a member of the Rockets, both he and his teammate James Harden had their time struggling with Foster as well. Harden said he believed it was personal with Foster, who he described as rude and arrogant.
Paul has called out Foster with the Rockets as well, both in 2018 and 2019.
“I don’t know what else to do, know what I mean?” Paul said in 2019, referring to his poor relationship with Foster. “I met with the league with him before and all this stuff. I don’t know what else to do.”
The frustration level has to be high for Paul just with his right shoulder alone. Paul was playing through limitations on Thursday for the third straight game. He played 23 minutes, registering seven points, five rebounds and six assists. He did not finish out the game, with backup point guard Cam Payne doing so for the second straight game.
