Chris Paul, Scott Foster and an all-time odd streak: By The Numbers

Game 2 of the Suns’ 2023 first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Tuesday night holds a unique distinction for Phoenix point guard Chris Paul.
Of course, his team’s first priority is to notch a victory to tie the series 1-1, but doing so would require the Suns to do something no Paul-led team has done since April 20, 2013: win a playoff game with Scott Foster officiating.
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Foster, a 29-year veteran referee, will be crew chief for Tuesday’s Game 2 officiating crew, which will be rounded out by Eric Lewis, JB DeRosa and Scott Twardoski.
Entering Tuesday, Paul’s teams have lost 13 consecutive postseason outings when Foster officiates. His squads have a point differential of minus-6.9 over that span. Phoenix has an 0-4 playoff record — with three double-digit losses — when Paul plays and Foster referees.
Now in his 18th NBA season, Paul’s teams have an overall playoff record of 2-17 (.105 win percentage) when Foster is referee. His playoff teams are 70-54 (.564 win percentage) in games Foster isn’t part of the game crew.
CP3 in the playoffs when Foster refs
Dates | Team | Opponent | Result | Point DIff. |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 19, 2022 | Suns | Pelicans | Loss | -11 |
July 20, 2021 | Suns | Bucks | Loss | -7 |
July 11, 2021 | Suns | Bucks | Loss | -20 |
May 27, 2021 | Suns | Lakers | Loss | -14 |
Sept. 2, 2020 | Thunder | Rockets | Loss | -2 |
April 30, 2019 | Rockets | Warriors | Loss | -6 |
May 14, 2018 | Rockets | Warriors | Loss | -13 |
May 2, 2018 | Rockets | Jazz | Loss | -8 |
April 25, 2017 | Clippers | Jazz | Loss | -4 |
April 23, 2016 | Clippers | Trail Blazers | Loss | -8 |
May 14, 2015 | Clippers | Rockets | Loss | -12 |
April 28, 2015 | Clippers | Spurs | Loss | -4 |
May 9, 2014 | Clippers | Thunder | Loss | -6 |
April 20, 2013 | Clippers | Grizzlies | Win | 21 |
May 15, 2012 | Clippers | Spurs | Loss | -16 |
May 9, 2012 | Clippers | Grizzlies | Loss | -12 |
April 27, 2009 | Hornets | Spurs | Loss | -58 |
May 19, 2008 | Hornets | Spurs | Loss | -9 |
April 29, 2008 | Hornets | Mavericks | Win | 5 |
Overall W-L | 2-17 | Total Point Diff. | -132 |
“We know the history,” said Paul, then of the Thunder, after a two-point Game 7 loss to the Rockets.
How Phoenix fares in overcoming such obscure history depends on Paul bouncing back from his Game 1 performance on Sunday, during which he scored seven points but still grabbed 11 rebounds and dished 10 assists.
(Photo of Chris Paul, Scott Foster: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
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