In a jaw-dropping moment during Game 4 of the NBA Finals, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was caught red-handed playing Solitaire while the action unfolded on the court. The game, which saw the Oklahoma City Thunder triumph over the Indiana Pacers to level the series at 2-2, took an unexpected turn when cameras panned to Smith, who appeared oblivious to the high-stakes drama surrounding him.
The incident quickly went viral, with Thunder star Kevin Durant mocking Smith on Instagram, posting a snapshot of the moment with the caption, “Come on Steve.” Smith, unfazed by the backlash, took to Twitter to embrace the chaos, tweeting, “Yep, that’s me! Who would have thought I can multitask, especially during timeouts? Hope y’all are enjoying the finals; this is going seven games now, peeps.” However, the reality was that Smith was engrossed in his game during live play, prompting fans to question his commitment to the Finals.
Adding to the spectacle, two courtside fans dressed as “Dumb and Dumber” — featuring Smith and Kendrick Perkins’ faces on their costumes — provided comic relief and a sharp commentary on the moment. The playful jabs at Smith’s focus came amid his controversial claims about Tyrese Haliburton’s status as a superstar, fueling even more chatter among fans.
As the NBA Finals heat up, this unexpected twist has ignited a firestorm of reactions online. Was Smith’s distraction a sign of boredom, or just a humorous anecdote in an otherwise thrilling series? One thing is for sure: the drama on and off the court continues to captivate audiences, with fans eagerly awaiting what will happen next in this unpredictable Finals showdown.