He Sat Right There in the NBA Finals… and Pulled Out His Phone to Play Solitaire?! What Stephen A. Smith Said Next Will Shock You
When news broke that ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was seen playing Solitaire on his phone during Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the internet collectively did a double take. It wasn’t just a quick glance between quarters—it appeared he was engrossed in the card game right in the middle of one of the most intense moments of the season. Here’s how this strange, funny, and oddly human moment unfolded into a full-blown viral sensation.
That Solitaire Snapshot Goes Viral
Picture this: a roaring Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder locked in battle during a tight Game 4. Fans are on the edge of their seats, players are giving it their all—and Stephen A. Smith, sitting courtside, leans forward… to play Solitaire. Suddenly, a fan snaps a photo, and the image lights up social media like wildfire.
At first, some defended him—maybe it was halftime? But then someone in the crowd chimed in: “I’m sitting right in front of him, this isn’t during a timeout. It’s during the game”. The photo, clearly showing live play ongoing behind him, made the scene even more surreal.
Reddit, Twitter, Instagram—from every corner, people had opinions. One Redditor cut right to the chase:
“This guy has ruined sports talk for generations and doesn’t even watch the games when he is in the building.”
Others poked fun at his Solitaire skills, with one quip reading: “Probably cheats on minesweeper and still loses”. The atmosphere felt part sports commentary, part comedy roast.
Players Weigh In—Kevin Durant Jokes Around
Then came a response from the players themselves. Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant entered the chat—posting the viral image on his Instagram story with a simple, cutting caption: “CMON STEVE.” youtube.com+6si.com+6sportskeeda.com+6
Suddenly, this went from funny to front-page news. A superstar poking fun at a renowned sports analyst? That’s the kind of moment social media eats up for breakfast.
As Sports Illustrated noted, KD’s jab brought fresh attention to a mild embarrassment that might have otherwise stayed as another viral meme . His message was clear—this was no ordinary sideline chat.
Stephen A.’s Response: Owning It with Humor
Rather than ducking or forcing a polished apology, Stephen A. took the spotlight with a dash of self-deprecating humor. He replied on X:
“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!”
He even posted a screenshot combining a Solitaire game overlaid onto the live broadcast—a tongue-in-cheek way of saying, “Hey, I was catching up during breaks” .
But skeptics were quick. One fan wrote back online: “Fool, this was you during gameplay. There’s videos. You started this new round during timeouts”. This ping‑pong of banter showed that a moment meant to be lighthearted could easily spark scrutiny and debate.
Why This Mattered More Than a Meme
At first glance, a Solitaire-playing analyst seems harmless. But ask fans and critics, and you’ll hear echoes of a deeper question: “Does Stephen A.—paid handsomely by ESPN—really care about the game he’s covering?”
One commenter questioned, “How can you have all these opinions while you’re playing solitaire?” Another pointed out the raw irony—Smith often dishes hot takes on players like Tyrese Haliburton, yet apparently wasn’t even watching those same players in person.
This moment spilled into a broader conversation about sports media culture. Many viewers feel analysts sometimes chase drama over detail—keeping it entertaining rather than being engaged with the action. And here, Stephen A.—a prolific voice on ESPN—was spotlighted as emblematic of that critique.
Fan Bets, Final Buzzer, and the Big Picture
And yet, let’s not forget Game 4 itself. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s 35 points (including 15 in the fourth quarter), pulled off a late-game surge to win 111–104 and tie the series 2–2 .
As one fan observed, “He’ll be talking about LeBron and Jordan tomorrow”—a nod to Stephen A.’s omnipresent cycle of hot takes, regardless of whether he’s paying attention live or not.
Meanwhile, others defended Stephen A., reminding us how grueling finals coverage can be. The pace, the travel, the emotional roller‑coaster—all can wear on anyone. One Reddit voice chimed in:
“The guy probably plays solitaire to relax he’s so wound up all the f*cking time.”
Another user said it straight:
“He’s saying if Steven’s not watching this then he sure af doesn’t watch anything.” reddit.com
These comments bring up a fair point. Smith is known for his heated energy and over-the-top delivery. Maybe a quiet round of Solitaire during a timeout was his reset button. Still, the timing—a live, nationally watched finals game—made it feel especially odd.
It’s More About the Narrative Than the Cards
In the end, the Solitaire snap was funny—but the bigger story is how swiftly and loudly the public responds when media figures seem off their game. Smith’s response was quick, casual, and humorous—but opinion was divided.
Celebs, players, fans, pundits—they all weighed in. KD’s playful mockery gave it cachet. Critics used it to question ESPN’s priorities. Supporters defended it as a harmless moment in a high-pressure job.
One thing remains clear: this isn’t the last time fans or players will call out media personalities for inattention—or worse. Stephen A. may laugh it off now, but the image will stick. Especially if his next hot take somehow feels less… grounded in the actual live action.
So, What’s Next?
- Game 5 in OKC is on the horizon. Will Superman Stephen A. be glued to the court—or will we find him diving into a digital card shuffle?
- Critics and viewers may keep an eye on how engaged he seems during future coverage.
- Stephen A. can either let this slip into the background, or lean into the joke—maybe tweet a “Solitaire MVP” award after next timeout.
One thing is certain: this moment is already part of finals lore—because sometimes, the story isn’t about what’s happening on the court, but who’s watching (and how).