The night’s trio is John Goble as crew chief, Curtis Blair as referee, and Ray Acosta as umpire. For Knicks fans scanning the list, Goble and Blair aren’t the concern; Acosta’s involvement is what has prompted scrutiny heading into tip-off.
Goble is one of the league’s most decorated officials, with nearly 1,000 regular-season games, more than 150 playoff appearances, and eight NBA Finals shoots across a 16-season span. His history with the Knicks has been largely neutral to slightly favorable, with no major controversy tied to New York in recent years.
Blair, a 17-year veteran, has long experience across all levels of the league. His most recent headlines involved a high-profile fine for a star in another market, but those moments have little direct relevance to the Knicks, making him a steady pairing for a playoff opener.
Ray Acosta, however, has a significantly more scrutinized track record with the Knicks. Over a three-year span heading into the 2025 playoffs, New York went 6-11 in games he officiated—a 35 percent win rate that stands out in a high-stakes series.
Acosta’s calling style fits a pattern that concerns the Knicks: a higher-than-average rate of offensive fouls and a relatively high frequency of technicals. With New York’s emphasis on driving to the basket and post play, particularly from players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the risk of foul trouble could be amplified early.
Goble and Blair are not the worry for Game 1, but Acosta’s involvement at MSG means New York will need disciplined execution and careful management of fouls from the outset. The Knicks will approach the game with a focus on playing cleanly and staying out of early foul trouble to counteract the potential impact of Acosta’s whistle.
