In a Game 5 that had already turned into a bruising slugfest, one whistle turned the Madison Square Garden crowd—and the entire Knicks fanbase—against referee Scott Foster. With the San Antonio Spurs clinging to a seven-point lead late in the third quarter, backup center Mitchell Robinson was called for a flagrant 1 foul on Victor Wembanyama after review. The play itself: Robinson, fighting for position on a drive, made contact with Wembanyama’s upper body as the Spurs star released a shot. It wasn’t a clothesline or a shove, but the officials upgraded it anyway.
Fans online didn’t hold back. Social media erupted with accusations that Foster was trying to manipulate game flow. One user posted a screenshot of Foster with the caption, Scott Foster has that look in his eyes knowing his job is to extend this series.
Another wrote, Scott Foster in his bag tonight #theextender.
The sentiment was widespread: a series that has been defined by physical play suddenly got a soft call at a critical moment.
Why This Call Stung for Knicks Fans
Context matters. The Knicks and Spurs have been trading hard fouls all series, with neither side backing down. Earlier in the same game, Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox delivered a shove that appeared more forceful than Robinson’s contact—but no flagrant was called. That inconsistency, according to fans online, was the real issue. Fox’s shove was considerably harder than Robinson’s, one observer pointed out. The contrast fueled accusations that Foster was applying a different standard.
Robinson played just 16 minutes through three quarters, finishing with two points and eight rebounds. Wembanyama, by contrast, put up 18 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and five blocks in 30 minutes. While Robinson’s foul didn’t change the individual stat lines, it did affect the Knicks’ defensive rotation. New York had to adjust on the fly, and the Spurs capitalized with a quick 6-0 run immediately after the call.
The Officiating Narrative
Scott Foster is no stranger to controversy. His reputation as a ref who impacts game outcomes has followed him for years, and this incident only added fuel. The league has not commented on the call. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau declined to address it directly in his postgame media availability, but his terse responses spoke volumes.
Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 30 points after three quarters, keeping the Knicks within striking distance. Dylan Harper paced the Spurs with 23 points early in the fourth. The game remained tight, but the damage of the flagrant—both in momentum and personnel—was done. Whether the call was correct or not, the narrative around Foster won’t fade soon.
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