NBA Announces 36 Officials for 2025-26 Play-In Tournament and First-Round Playoffs
The NBA selected 36 officials for the 2025-26 season's play-in tournament and first round of the playoffs, announced on April 13, 2026. Natalie Sago is the third woman selected for NBA postseason officiating. The list includes veterans like Scott Foster and first-timers Natalie Sago and Jason Goldenberg.
washingtontimes.comNBA Selects 36 Referees for Playoff Duties The NBA announced on April 13, 2026, the list of 36 officials selected to work the 2025-26 season’s play-in tournament and first round of the playoffs.
Natalie Sago is on the announced list and is the third woman in NBA history to be selected for postseason officiating work. Violet Palmer and Ashley Moyer-Gleich are the first and second women in NBA history selected for postseason officiating work. Albert Sanders, the NBA executive who runs referee operations, informed Natalie Sago of her playoff selection on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Natalie Sago received the phone call from Albert Sanders while arriving at the airport in Salt Lake City on April 11, 2026. Natalie Sago has officiated more than 400 NBA games. Less than half of the NBA’s referees each season receive playoff assignments.
Natalie Sago and Ashley Moyer-Gleich were promoted to the NBA’s full-time referee staff in 2018. Natalie Sago and Ashley Moyer-Gleich became the fourth and fifth women in NBA history to reach full-time referee status in 2018. Natalie Sago’s first playoff assignment in 2026 will be the 12th playoff game officiated by a woman in NBA history.
Violet Palmer worked nine NBA playoff games from 2006 to 2012. Ashley Moyer-Gleich worked two NBA playoff games in 2024. Natalie Sago’s father has officiated basketball for more than 30 years. Natalie Sago and Jason Goldenberg are the two first-time selections to the 2025-26 NBA playoff referee staff.
Full List of Selected Officials The 36 NBA playoff referees for the 2025-26 season are Ray Acosta, Brent Barnaky, Curtis Blair, Tony Brothers, Nick Buchert, John Butler, James Capers, Sean Corbin, Kevin Cutler, Eric Dalen, Marc Davis, JB DeRosa, Mitchell Ervin, Tyler Ford, Brian Forte, Scott Foster, Pat Fraher, Jacyn Goble, John Goble, Jason Goldenberg, Courtney Kirkland, Marat Kogut, Karl Lane, Mark Lindsay, Tre Maddox, Ed Malloy, Andy Nagy, Gediminas Petraitis, Kevin Scott, Ben Taylor, Josh Tiven, Justin Van Duyne, James Williams, Sean Wright, Zach Zarba, and Natalie Sago.
Scott Foster has worked 262 NBA playoff games. Marc Davis has worked 218 NBA playoff games. Tony Brothers has worked 216 NBA playoff games. James Capers has worked 204 NBA playoff games. Zach Zarba has worked 173 NBA playoff games.
John Goble has worked 151 NBA playoff games. Ed Malloy has worked 150 NBA playoff games. Sean Wright has worked 104 NBA playoff games. Sean Corbin has worked 100 NBA playoff games.
Selection Process and Evaluations Playoff officials are selected based on NBA Referee Operations grades and rankings, play-calling accuracy, and team rankings assessed throughout the season.
Further evaluations of playoff officials take place after each playoff round. Monty McCutchen oversees referee development and training for the NBA.
Natalie Sago's Perspective Natalie Sago said, "I hope it does become normal.
As long as we can do the work and do it well and work hard, it’s the same thing the men do on the staff. I just want us all to be NBA referees. ’ OK, great.
Story Timeline
5 events- 2026-04-13
NBA announces list of 36 officials for 2025-26 play-in tournament and first round of playoffs
1 sourceNBA - 2026-04-11
Albert Sanders informs Natalie Sago of her playoff selection while she arrives at Salt Lake City airport
1 sourceunattributed - 2018
Natalie Sago and Ashley Moyer-Gleich promoted to NBA full-time referee staff, becoming fourth and fifth women to reach that status
1 sourceunattributed - 2006-2012
Violet Palmer works nine NBA playoff games
1 sourceunattributed - 2024
Ashley Moyer-Gleich works two NBA playoff games
1 sourceunattributed
Potential Impact
- 01
Veteran referees like Scott Foster continue to handle majority of games, maintaining consistency in playoff officiating standards
- 02
Natalie Sago's debut adds to the 12th woman-officiated playoff game, normalizing gender diversity in high-stakes officiating
- 03
Less than half of referees selected highlights competitive nature, affecting career progression for non-selected officials
- 04
Post-round evaluations may influence future assignments for first-timers like Sago and Goldenberg
- 05
Increased visibility for female officials in NBA playoffs, potentially encouraging more women to pursue referee roles
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