Foster, 58, has been an NBA referee since 1994-95 and, in turn, has become one of the sport's most recognized officials. Thursday's game in Oklahoma City marked his 261st career p

The back of Dort's hand caught Foster's face after going up for the ball with Julius Randle, and Foster had a nose bleed with some blood dripping to the court. After a break to stop the bleeding, Foster remained in the game.

Foster was felled by a rather peculiar injury less than two minutes into Thursday's contest. While tossing a ball skyward for a jump ball between Lu Dort and Julius Randle, the veteran referee was caught by a stray leg and a stray hand from Dort.