NBA: Chris Paul opens up on 'personal' issue with official Scott Foster after ejection in Golden State Warriors defeat

Golden State Warriors point guard Chris Paul says he has a "personal" issue with NBA official Scott Foster after he was ejected from his team's game at the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.

With only 23 seconds remaining until half-time, Paul was visibly upset with Foster after Phoenix forward Kevin Durant drew a foul on the 38-year-old.

Paul and Foster then engaged in an exchange and before Durant could shoot his second free throw, the official handed Paul a technical foul.

The decision seemed to enrage Paul who continued to be animated towards Foster, who then quickly handed him a second technical which led to an automatic ejection from the game.

Golden State head coach Steve Kerr was visibly unhappy with the decision and he received a technical of his own as his team slipped to a 123-115 defeat against the Suns.

"It's personal," Paul said in his post-match press conference. "We had a situation some years ago, and it's personal. The league knows, everybody knows, and it's been a meeting and all that. It's a situation with my son and so, yeah.

"I'm OK with a ref talking, saying whatever, just don't use a tech to get your point across. I've got to do a better job making sure I stay on the floor for my team-mates. But, yeah, that's that."

Paul and Foster have a long history which dates back to the player's time with the LA Clippers. The pair were also involved in incidents during Paul's time at the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Suns.

"It was a whole thing," Paul said when talking about Foster. "But it's still been a thing for a while. It is what it is at this point."

Steve Kerr and Golden State star Steph Curry defended Paul's actions after the game and said they were surprised that the NBA veteran was ejected from the game.

“I didn’t think Chris deserved to be ejected,” Warriors coach Kerr said. “The first tech? Absolutely. But I thought the second one was unnecessary. Everybody gets frustrated out there, but that’s up to the official.”

Curry added: "When both player and ref engage in conversation, that has to stay there. I told Scott that after he ejected him. There are certain situations where players overstep.

"There are times when you know you have to back off. But when both are engaging, I don't like that."

The Warriors will be back in action on Saturday when they welcome Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to the Chase Center.

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