In a thrilling Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, NBA referee Scott Foster took a shot to the face from Luguentz Dort, proving yet again that sometimes, officiating can be just as brutal as playing.

Foster, who has bravely officiated the NBA since 1994, found himself on the receiving end of a basketball-related injury during a jump ball, briefly delaying the game while he bled profusely by the scorer's table. With a history of contentious relationships with players, especially Chris Paul, it's clear Foster's challenges aren't limited to just making calls—he’s now literally facing the game head-on, and fans are left to wonder if he can survive another round.

The incident occurred when Foster was officiating a jump ball involving Dort and Timberwolves forward Julius Randle. In a moment that could have easily been choreographed for an action film, Foster inadvertently became part of the play as he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Perhaps the jump ball should come with a disclaimer: 'For referee use only.'

As the game continued, passtime turned to bloodtime. Realizing he could no longer ignore the crimson fountain emerging from his face, Foster sprinted to the scorer's table to get some much-needed medical attention. No one ever said refereeing was a walk in the park, but this was a whole new level of dedication to the job. It’s not every day you’d find an official who would take a facial just to make sure that jump balls are regulated properly.

The delay in the game allowed fans some additional time to ponder the legendary referee. Those familiar with the NBA know that Foster isn’t just known for his brave officiating. He’s gained notoriety for his history of contentious interactions with players, particularly Chris Paul, who was watching from the sidelines. Paul, with a playoff record of 3-17 in games officiated by Foster, might have consistently struggled against the referee as much as he does against the opposing teams.

Speaking of struggles, Foster’s injury isn’t unprecedented. He has a history of physical encounters on the job. Just a few seasons back, Foster had to abandon a regular-season game between the Knicks and Heat due to a calf injury, seemingly unaware that he was not, in fact, a player. This inability to remain unharmed in the midst of basketball fervor lends a curious twist to the profession of a referee, who often finds themselves at the intersection of player antics and foul calls—or, in this case, receiving their own share of both.

But let’s not dwell solely on the referee's calamities. The actual players also put on a show that evening, featuring a scintillating performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored a staggering 38 points. One might wonder if the adrenaline of the game was somehow enhanced by the sight of Foster nursing his injury, leading the Thunder to a decisive 118-103 victory. In a rare turn of events, the play that kept the energy high on the court was not just the players’ skills but also the resilience shown by their officiating counterpart.

As the Thunder lead the series 2-0, the big question looms: Will Foster’s injury impact the remainder of the playoffs, or will he emerge from this ordeal like a warrior returning from battle, emboldened and even tougher on the court? One can only hope the NBA supplies him with better armor for future games, or at the very least, a sturdy helmet. In the meantime, fans will just have to tune in to see if Foster's next appearance features him wearing a sports bandage or, better yet, a full face mask while presiding over jump balls.