Stephen A. Smith responds after getting caught playing Solitaire during NBA Finals Game 4

Stephen A Smith reports from the sideline

Dec 18, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith broadcasts before a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen A. Smith did not sound the least bit embarrassed after being caught playing on his phone during Friday’s NBA Finals game.

Smith was in attendance for Game 4 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. The ESPN analyst had a lower box seat with an incredible vantage point of the contest.

The NBA Finals action on the court was not enough to fully entertain Smith. A photo of Smith playing Solitaire on his phone during the game generated some negative attention online. Smith confirmed that the photo was indeed real, claiming that he was “multi-tasking” during timeouts.

“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!”

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! https://t.co/nLdWJf5vqf
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 14, 2025

Smith has one of the loudest voices, literally and figuratively, on ESPN, particularly when it comes to the NBA. His opinions on “First Take” generate millions of views on a weekly basis.

Seeing him completely check out of a Finals game does not help his credibility in the slightest. Kevin Durant, who has constantly feuded with Smith over the years, even spread the photo to his own social media following.

Kevin Durant put the picture of Stephen A Smith playing solitaire on his IG story 😭 pic.twitter.com/qdelpyqbac
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) June 14, 2025

Smith’s claim that he played Solitaire only during breaks was also proven false. One fan’s video showed Smith on his phone as NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a breakaway layup.

Tears why u lying pic.twitter.com/oyVX0LlH8q
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) June 14, 2025

Pacers fans were already mocking Smith for believing that Indiana had no chance of winning the series. After Game 4’s Solitaire fiasco, the clowning may get even more creative in Game 6.