
Stephen A. Smith's Solitaire Snap Sparks Hilarious Reactions During Intense NBA Finals
2025-06-14
Author: Jessica Wong
ESPN's iconic personality, Stephen A. Smith, found himself in the spotlight for an unexpected reason during Game 4 of the NBA Finals. A viral photo surfaced showing him engrossed in a game of solitaire on his phone while chaos unfolded on the court.
Taking to social media to clarify, Smith confirmed that, indeed, he was playing solitaire—but he emphasized he was multi-tasking. The picture was snapped during a timeout, he insists.
However, the internet wasn't buying it. A video that has gone viral shows active gameplay happening while Smith’s phone screen flashed with cards. Cue the laughs!
Adding to the uproar, NBA superstar Kevin Durant, known for his occasional jabs at Smith, reposted the infamous photo on Instagram with the cheeky comment, "C'mon Steve." With a smile or perhaps a smirk, Durant certainly knows how to keep the banter lively.
As for the action on the court, Game 4 was a nail-biter! The Oklahoma City Thunder staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Indiana Pacers 111-104, leveling the series at 2-2. The Pacers had entered the game with a commanding 2-1 lead, buoyed by a victory in Game 3.
Throughout the match, the Pacers dominated, leading by as much as 10 points at one stage. However, the Thunder came alive in the fourth quarter, fueled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's clutch performance. He sank the go-ahead jumper with just 2:23 left in the game, propelling the Thunder to outscore the Pacers 12-1 in the final three minutes.
Gilgeous-Alexander stole the spotlight yet again, finishing with an impressive 35 points, shooting a flawless 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. His teammate, Jalen Williams, added 27 points, while the Pacers' efforts were led by Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton, who contributed 20 and 18 points, respectively.
With so much at stake in this electrifying Game 4, it’s easy to see why critics would hone in on Smith's solitaire escapade. As ESPN's most prominent face, his antics are bound to attract attention—even in the midst of thrilling playoff basketball.
With the series tied, all eyes will turn to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Monday. Will there be more surprises in store or another meme-worthy moment from Stephen A.? Stay tuned!