Golden State Warriors' veteran Chris Paul has refuted claims from NBA commissioner Adam Silver stating that the league has had conversations with he and referee Scott Foster amid their long-running feud.
The latest instalment of the Paul-Foster beef occurred last month in the 12-time All-Star's return to Phoenix. The pair got into a heated exchange during the second-quarter, ultimately ending in Paul's ejection after two technical fouls.
Adam Silver expects Chris Paul to be professional in any future Golden State Warriors games that are officiated by Scott Foster
The veteran point-guard labelled it personal in the aftermath of that Suns encounter, referring to an undisclosed incident between Foster and his son way back during his days with the LA Clippers.
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA radio on Wednesday, Silver acknowledged the NBA had spoken to both Paul and Foster with the expectation that they'll be professional moving forward.
""The expectation is you're going to be professional...whatever the bad blood is between the two, you don't have to be friends but you gotta go out and do your jobs. That's my expectation going forward," Silver said."
“[Chris Paul and NBA Referee Scott Foster] don’t have to be friends but you both have to go out and do your jobs”.
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) December 6, 2023
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explains to @TermineRadio & @JumpShot8 his expectations with Paul and Foster moving forward
Full Interview: https://t.co/B3xtNlJthk pic.twitter.com/NdU9iYMUb3
However, Paul said he hasn't spoken to Silver or anyone from the league since that ejection. Asked in the postgame following his return from a two-game injury against the Portland Trail Blazers, the 38-year-old said, "nah, ain't nobody called me since all that happened."
Much has been made of the on-court impact of the feud, with Paul holding a 3-17 record in playoffs games officiated by Foster since 2008. It's become a comical storyline for most fans, unless of course Paul is on your team.
The Warriors have plenty of work to do just to make the playoffs themselves this season, having lost 10 of their last 15 games to sit 11th in the Western Conference. Despite Golden State being his sixth NBA team, Paul has made the playoffs every year since his fifth season with the New Orleans Hornets in 2009-10.
The 19-year veteran had two points, three rebounds and six assists in his return, playing less than 21 minutes off the bench as the Warriors finally overcame an undermanned Portland team in a 110-106 victory.