In a stunning display of distraction during one of basketball’s biggest nights, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was caught red-handed playing Solitaire during Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. The game, which saw the Thunder even the series at 2-2, was anything but dull, yet Smith’s focus was clearly elsewhere, sparking a frenzy of reactions on social media.
The moment was immortalized when a fan captured video of Smith immersed in his card game, oblivious to the high-stakes action unfolding on the court. Even NBA superstar Kevin Durant couldn’t resist the urge to poke fun, sharing the moment on his Instagram story with the caption, “Come on Steve.” The incident has since gone viral, igniting a wave of memes and commentary across platforms.
In a tongue-in-cheek response, Smith took to Twitter, acknowledging his multitasking s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s with a cheeky, “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, fans were left scratching their heads as to how he could prioritize cards over a thrilling championship matchup.
Adding to the spectacle, two courtside fans dressed as characters from “Dumb and Dumber,” featuring Smith and Kendrick Perkins’ faces, further fueled the hilarity of the night. The bizarre scene has sparked discussions about Smith’s recent critiques of players like Tyrese Haliburton, raising questions about his commitment to the game.
As the NBA Finals heat up, Stephen A. Smith’s Solitaire blunder serves as a reminder that even the most dedicated sports analysts can get caught up in the game—just not in the way anyone expected. Stay tuned as this story develops and the Finals continue to unfold.