The NBA has announced the selection of 12 officials for the 2025 NBA Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. Scott Foster will officiate his 18th championship series, while Marc Davis and Tony Brothers will make their 14th appearances. James Capers and Zach Zabra will participate in their 13th and 12th Finals, respectively. Other experienced referees include John Globe (ninth), David Guthrie (eighth), Josh Tiven (sixth), and James Williams (fifth). Sean Wright returns for his second Finals, and Tylor Ford and Ben Taylor will officiate their first.
NBA President of League Operations Byron Spruell expressed gratitude for the officials’ dedication, noting that being selected for the NBA Finals is the highest honor for an NBA official. Foster leads in Finals experience with 25 games, followed by Davis with 21 and Brothers with 17. Courtney Kirkland and Kevin Scott have been named as alternate referees.
The officials for each game will be announced around 9 a.m. ET on game days, starting with the series opener on Thursday. The Thunder, led by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, secured the top seed in the Western Conference with a 68-14 record, sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies, going seven games with the Denver Nuggets, and besting the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games to reach the Finals.
The Pacers, as the fourth-seeded team in the East with a 50-32 record, defeated the Milwaukee Bucks and upset the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in five games each before taking care of the New York Knicks in six. Tyrese Halliburton and the Pacers aim to secure Indiana’s first title in their first Finals appearance since 2000. The NBA Finals begin at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.