Curtis Blair to officiate first NBA Finals game
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- Curtis Blair will officiate his first NBA Finals game, becoming the only first‑time selection among the 12 referees for the series between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks.
- Albert Sanders Jr., NBA executive vice president and head of referee operations, notified Blair of his selection via a missed phone call that served as the long‑awaited email.
- Scott Foster was chosen to work his 19th Finals, the most among current referees, while the rest of the crew includes veterans like Tony Brothers (15th) and Marc Davis (15th).
- NBA officials receive special white warm‑up jackets for Finals games; Blair already has two “alternate” jackets from 2021‑22, but this one is his first official Finals jacket.
- Byron Spruell, NBA president for league operations, called the selection “the highest honor for an NBA official” and praised the referees’ dedication.
Why it matters: Blair’s promotion validates the NBA’s merit‑based officiating ladder, giving aspiring referees a tangible career goal and reinforcing the league’s commitment to seasoned officials for high‑stakes games.
