Longtime NBA referee Joey Crawford, who is being inducted into the Naismith Basketball of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 15, officiated 2,561 regular-season games over 39 seasons, including a record 374 postseason games and 50 NBA Finals games. He worked in 23 consecutive NBA Finals.
Officiating with an iron fist and known for his quick whistle and quicker temper, Crawford got on the nerves of NBA players and fans, including an infamous incident in 2007 when he ejected Spurs star Tim Duncan for laughing from the bench.
Crawford was suspended indefinitely for the incident and sat out the rest of the regular season and playoffs that season.
He retired in 2016 at the age of 63.
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2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony honors enshrinees
Outside the Springfield Symphony Hall before the start of the 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony honors enshrinees
Outside the Springfield Symphony Hall before the start of the 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony honors enshrinees
Outside the Springfield Symphony Hall before the start of the 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony honors enshrinees
Outside the Springfield Symphony Hall before the start of the 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony honors enshrinees
A general view outside of the Symphony Hall prior to the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on August 15, 2026 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA referee Joey Crawford inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
