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With the NBA Playoffs officially underway, all eyes aren’t just on the players — but on the referees tasked with officiating the most intense, high-stakes games of the season. The league has announced its referee assignments for the First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, featuring some of the most experienced and well-respected officials in the sport.

Here’s a breakdown of who’s been selected and what fans can expect from the officiating crews during Round 1.

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What Goes Into Referee Selection?

The NBA’s referee selection process for the playoffs is based on performance throughout the regular season. Each official is graded on call accuracy, game management, communication, and overall control of the court.

Only the top-performing referees from the regular season are assigned to postseason games, and the list is refined after each round — meaning assignments for future rounds will depend on how referees perform during the First Round.

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First Round Highlights: Notable Referee Assignments

While the full slate of assignments rotates across matchups, here are some of the standout officials working this year’s opening round:

Scott Foster – A veteran playoff referee with over 20 years of postseason experience. Known for managing tense situations and calling close games.
Zach Zarba – A consistent presence in the NBA Playoffs and a strong communicator on the floor.
Tony Brothers – Frequently assigned to high-profile matchups, Brothers brings decades of experience.
Eric Lewis – Another respected veteran, often trusted with games featuring elite guard matchups.

Also included in the rotation are rising stars in the officiating ranks, many of whom have impressed throughout the regular season and are now being given the chance to prove themselves on the biggest stage.

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What Fans Should Expect from First Round Officiating

Tighter calls early in the series to set the tone and maintain control
Increased physicality allowed as the series progresses
Video reviews for late-game situations, especially in crunch time
Coach’s Challenge usage will remain consistent with regular-season rules

Officiating is always a major talking point in the playoffs, especially when games go down to the wire. Expect this year’s crews to emphasize consistency and clarity — especially in close finishes and pivotal Game 3 or Game 4 scenarios.

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Looking Ahead

As teams battle for position in the later rounds, so will the officials. The NBA will evaluate First Round performances to determine which referees advance to the Conference Semifinals, with the best of the best ultimately earning the right to officiate the NBA Finals.

With strong officiating crews in place and high expectations on both sides of the whistle, the 2025 NBA Playoffs are set to be one of the most competitive — and closely watched — postseasons in recent memory.

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