Watch: LeBron James accidentally busts Scott Foster's lip

Late in the second quarter of Game 3 of Nuggets-Lakers, James ran into Foster as the referee stood along the side of the court. Play stopped temporarily as medical staff tended to Foster, who received a busted lip in the collision.

"You've been wanting to do that for 25 years," Foster jabbed at James while tending to his wound.

James may have gained a few new fans among his NBA peers. Foster is hugely unpopular among players. In an anonymous survey conducted by The Athletic, 25.4 percent of respondents voted Foster as the league's worst official.

His history with Chris Paul has been particularly notable over the years, with Paul calling Foster out on several occasions. Earlier this postseason, Paul ended the "Foster curse" by snapping a 13-game playoff losing streak in games he played that Foster officiated.

If Foster took the run-in personally, he didn't show it. Midway through the third quarter, he called a questionable fourth foul on Denver's Nikola Jokic when he swatted at an Anthony Davis field goal attempt but hit air instead. Nuggets coach Michael Malone challenged the call but was unsuccessful.

In March, the Toronto Star ran an article detailing Foster's ignominious place among not only NBA players, but fans as well.

Per the Star, "Former NBA player Matt Barnes has called him a terrible referee. ESPN's Jackie MacMullan said everybody in the NBA has a problem with him." 

The article pointed to several specific episodes to highlight why so many have a problem with Foster, including missed calls in big games and unwarranted ejections.

No referee inspires quite the ire that Foster does, but on Saturday, he was finally involved in a play his critics could celebrate.