Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on Sunday decried the swell of public criticism of the officiating that flowed following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 4 win in the 2025 NBA Finals, describing the carping on perceived mistaken calls and non-calls — specifically those involving longtime NBA referee Scott Foster — as,

The former Mavericks coach, two wins away from a championship with the Pacers, offered an impassioned and somewhat unprompted defense of the referee.

Charles Barkley joked about the Knicks' coaching search strategy by making a direct reference to the Pacers' head coach Rick Carlisle.

Tyrese Haliburton credits Rick Carlisle as a 'basketball savant' who elevated his game as the Pacers lead the Thunder 2-1 in the NBA Finals.