In a surprising twist during the high-stakes NBA Finals, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is under fire for seemingly not paying attention. While the Thunder battled the Pacers in a nail-biting Game 4, Smith found himself engrossed in the classic card game Solitaire.

The ire against Smith escalated when NBA star Kevin Durant chimed in, sharing an Instagram story featuring Smith lost in his game amidst the action. "C’MON STEVE," Durant captioned the shot, clearly enjoying the moment.

In defense, Smith claimed he was merely multitasking during a timeout, responding to a popular NBA account's tweet. "Yep! That’s me. Who would’ve thought... I can multi-task. Especially during TIMEOUTS!" he wrote, urging fans to enjoy what he predicted would be a thrilling seven-game series.

However, skepticism loomed as evidence surfaced disputing his defense. A community note asserted that Smith’s claims were fabricated, linking to a video showcasing him in the thick of gameplay rather than during a pause. The clip was shared by user @feellikedrew and highlighted a moment when the Thunder were pushing for a basket, contradicting Smith's narrative.

As Smith tried to poke fun at the situation with a midnight post displaying his Solitaire hand during a tense game moment, fans remained unimpressed. The Thunder eventually pulled off a comeback, outscoring the Pacers 12-1 in the final minutes to tie the series at 2-2.

Smith’s recent comments about Indiana's rising star Tyrese Haliburton also intensified the drama. Dismissing Haliburton's superstar status, he faced backlash after the guard’s subtle jabs, further fueling animosity between him and passionate Pacers fans. Smith later defended himself on "First Take," alluding to critics who have tried to challenge him in the past.

The tension between Smith and Durant isn’t new; Durant previously criticized Smith for his distractions regarding the NBA, suggesting he was too wrapped up in his other ambitions to focus on basketball.

As this saga unfolds, one thing is certain: the spotlight is firmly on Stephen A. Smith, who finds himself at the center of both criticism and laughter as the NBA Finals roll on.