US EditionESPN's Stephen A. Smith is caught playing solitaire during NBA finals, fans have thoughts
- During the fourth matchup of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and the Thunder on Friday, June 14, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith was photographed playing solitaire on his phone.
- The image went viral on social media, prompting criticism from NBA fans and players amid the series tied 2-2 and a strong Thunder fourth-quarter rally to win 111-104.
- Smith addressed the situation on X, admitting to playing the game while insisting he was multitasking and that it occurred during a pause in the action; however, community notes and videos challenged his explanation by revealing he was actually playing amid live gameplay.
- Kevin Durant mocked Smith by posting the photo to his Instagram story with the caption 'CMON STEVE,' and fans accused Smith of disrespecting one of basketball's biggest moments.
- This incident has fueled debate over Smith's engagement and professionalism during the Finals and highlighted tensions between media figures and NBA players and fans.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Stephen A. Smith Breaks Silence On 'Unprofessional' NBA Finals Move
The Most Annoying Person In Football Media (1:25) ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith went viral for the wrong reasons during Friday night's game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. For starters, a fan sitting courtside for Game 4 of the NBA Finals was wearing a "Dumb and Dumber" costume with Smith's face plastered on it. And yet, that wasn't the main headline involving the "First Take" analyst. During the second half of Game 4, …
Stephen A. Smith under fire for playing game on his phone during NBA Finals while Kevin Durant joins the mocking
Stephen A. Smith has come under fire for being captured playing popular card game Solitaire during the Thunder's 111-104 road win over the Pacers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Is Stephen A. Smith A Fraud? ESPN's $100 Million NBA Guy Caught In The Act During NBA Finals
Stephen A. Smith was caught in the act during Friday's Game 4 of the NBA Finals. No, not sex, you animals! Although that would be a great way to start a big Saturday. No. Something far worse, yet far more relatable: not paying attention to an NBA game. I don't blame him one bit, personally. For those who missed it – and that's most of you because it's the NBA – the Thunder beat the Pacers in what Google tells me was a thrilling Game 4. I was wat…
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