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

Publish date: 2024-05-08

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

DatesTeamOpponentResultPoint 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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