Stephen A. Smith’s Solitaire Incident During NBA Finals
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith found himself at the center of online uproar after being caught engaging in a game of solitaire during Game 4 of the NBA Finals, held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The incident occurred on Friday night as the Indiana Pacers faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and images of Smith absorbed in his mobile game quickly spread across social media after being shared by Hoops Legion on X.
Smith’s Defense and Humorous Reactions
In response to the backlash, Smith himself posted the image on his profile, asserting his ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, especially during timeouts. He remarked in his tweet:
“Yep! That’s me. Who would’ve thought? I can multi-task. Especially during TIMEOUTS! Hope y’all are enjoying the NBA Finals. This is going 7 games now, peeps!”
The moment drew further attention when a video surfaced, showcasing Smith immersed in solitaire while the intense action unfolded on the court. Notably, Phoenix Suns player Kevin Durant humorously weighed in by sharing the image on his Instagram with a caption urging Smith to focus:
“CMON STEVE.”
Contextual Challenges for the NBA Finals
Despite criticism from viewers, Smith remained steadfast in his defense of his actions, even sharing a screenshot that displayed his solitaire game alongside a stream of the Thunder-Pacers match. This incident occurred against a backdrop of growing concerns regarding the NBA Finals’ viewership, which has faced scrutiny over dwindling ratings and a perceived lack of engaging presentations that differentiate the Finals from regular season games.
On the same week, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discussed these trends, acknowledging the significant engagement in the smaller markets competing but also indicating that every location feels the presence of the Finals. Predicted by Smith before the game, if the Pacers secured a 3-1 advantage at home, they would likely win the series. However, the Thunder defied expectations with a 111-104 victory, equalizing the series.
Looking Ahead: Game 5
As the stakes rise, Game 5 will take place on Monday at Paycom Center, as both teams vie for championship glory.
