BREAKING: NBA Suspends Referee Pat Fraher After Controversial Officiating in Warriors-Rockets Game 4
Chase Center, San Francisco — April 30, 2025
The NBA has suspended veteran referee Pat Fraher following a series of controversial calls during Game 4 of the first-round playoff matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. The game, played at the Chase Center on Monday night, ended in a 112-109 victory for the Warriors, but was marred by officiating decisions that ignited outrage among fans, players, and analysts alike.
In a statement released Tuesday morning, NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced the league’s decision:
“After a thorough review of Game 4 between the Warriors and the Rockets, we have determined that multiple officiating errors significantly affected the outcome of the game. Referee Pat Fraher, who was crew chief for the contest, made a series of critical misjudgments that did not meet the standards of NBA officiating. As a result, he has been suspended indefinitely. Such mistakes are unacceptable at this level.”
The game was tightly contested throughout, but the fourth quarter saw a series of questionable calls — including a late offensive foul on Rockets star Jalen Green, a no-call on a clear defensive goaltending by Draymond Green, and an apparent missed travel on Stephen Curry in the final possession — that have come under intense scrutiny.
Fraher, a 23-year veteran official, has officiated over 1,200 regular-season games and more than 100 playoff games. However, his performance in Game 4 drew the ire of both coaching staffs. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was seen furiously arguing with officials in the final minutes, and sources say the Rockets formally filed a grievance with the league shortly after the game ended.
“We play the game hard, and we expect it to be officiated fairly,” Udoka said in his postgame press conference. “I’m not blaming everything on the refs, but some of those calls — or no-calls — were game-changing. Our players deserve better.”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, while more reserved, acknowledged the tension around the game’s officiating.
“It was a tough game to officiate,” Kerr said. “Emotions run high in the playoffs. I know Pat and respect his work, but I understand there were some questionable moments. That’s part of the game, but we all want it to be as clean and fair as possible.”
The suspension is a rare and serious disciplinary action by the NBA. While the league has publicly acknowledged officiating mistakes in its Last Two Minute Reports in recent years, it seldom issues immediate punitive measures against referees during the postseason.
This suspension could mark a turning point in how the league handles high-profile officiating errors. Fans have taken to social media demanding greater accountability and transparency, using hashtags like #FixTheRefs and #NBAIntegrity. Several former players, including Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade and ESPN analyst JJ Redick, have also voiced their concerns on national platforms.
“It’s about credibility,” Redick said during an appearance on First Take. “If fans start believing the game isn’t being called fairly, the whole integrity of the league is at risk. Good on the NBA for taking action.”
Game 5 of the Warriors-Rockets series is scheduled for Thursday night in Houston, with the series tied 2-2. The league has not yet announced who will replace Fraher in the officiating crew, but all eyes will be on the court — not just the players, but those with the whistle.
As the playoffs intensify, so does the pressure — not only on the teams vying for the championship, but on the officials charged with upholding the game’s fairness.
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