Stephen A. Smith rails on Knicks stars for sloppy Game 4 play: ‘What the hell is going on!'
The Knicks weren't exactly playing their best basketball against the Pacers through three quarters on Tuesday night.
And Stephen A. Smith was letting them know about it as directly as he could.
The ESPN 'First Take' panelist took to X during Game 4 and called out the team — which had 14 turnovers through 36 minutes — and he called for both Mikal Briges and Josh Hart to get it together, tagging their handles.
'The @nyknicks desperately need @mikal_bridges to step up if they're going to win this game. Missed shots. Turnovers. ill-timed decisions. #Damn [Come] on bro,' he wrote. 'You too @joshhart. The @nyknicks need him too. Not taking the damn night off with one mishap after another! What the Hell is going on!'
3 Josh Hart of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 27, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
NBAE via Getty Images
Hart and Bridges combined for just 15 points through three quarters as the team trailed by 11 points going into the final quarter.
Game 4 was a huge swing game for the Knicks, which probably factored more into Smith, a well-known fan of the team, getting riled up over the team's play.
After losing two heartbreakers on home court, the Knicks rallied in Game 3 to make it a 2-1 series before Tuesday night.
3 Mikal Bridges of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 27, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
NBAE via Getty Images
3 Stephen A. Smith attends a playoff basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on May 8, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Getty Images
But after Game 1's 14-point choke job, ex-NFL defensive end Chris Canty said on ESPN Radio that the Knicks were maybe suffering from what he called 'the curse of Stephen A. Smith' for his incessant trash talk of the Cowboys.
Smith took exception to the trolling.
'It's that damn Chris Canty, I'm telling you right now, he does a phenomenal job for us on ESPN Radio every morning,' Smith said on 'First Take' this week. 'But ever since he got that damn radio show, he's gotten more evil. That's what he's done. That's what he turned into. Chris Canty used to be this nice big teddy bear…and then all of a sudden, he gets the morning radio show and he is just slicing and dicing people up – calling folks frauds and everything like that. And now he's trolling me. I'm gonna get him.'
If the Knicks don't come back to take the series, it'll be interesting to see how that dynamic plays out.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Offensive lineman will finally get some love on the NFL awards ballot. Which Dallas Cowboys protector has the best shot at winning the award?
Offensive lineman will finally get some love on the NFL awards ballot. Which Dallas Cowboys protector has the best shot at winning the award? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's about time offensive linemen get some more notoriety around the NFL. Advertisement They play some of the most demanding positions on the field, but are hardly ever recognized appropriately. The league is hoping to change that with a new addition to the regular season awards ballot this year. Alongside mainstays like MVP and Defensive Player of the Year will be "Protector of the Year". The award will annually honor the season's best lineman and be voted on by a panel of former great O-lineman from across NFL history. Yes, only one lineman will receive the honor each season. With at least five playing regularly on each team ... that makes for a loaded competition pool. This encouraged Pro Football Network to highlight one player on each team who has the best shot at winning the award in its inaugural season. Advertisement To no surprise, the Dallas Cowboys lineman picked was left guard Tyler Smith. He was ranked the 11th-most-likely contender for the award across the entire NFL. "After the retirement of Zack Martin, the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line is Smith's group now," the article said. "He's been a Pro Bowler each of the last two years and should be in the mix for Protector of the Year, especially if the Cowboys' passing attack fares well with Dak Prescott throwing to the tandem of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens." The names listed above Smith were Penei Sewell, Tristan Wirfs, Jordan Mailata, Creed Humphrey, Trent Williams, Rashawn Slater, Quinn Meinerz, Chris Lindstrom, Laremy Tunsil and Joe Thuney. Advertisement Dallas' first-rounder from 2022 has been nothing short of exceptional, starting every game he's been healthy for since joining "America's Team". At just 24 years old, Smith was acknowledged earlier this offseason as one of just two offensive lineman named to the top 25 under 25 list that showcases the league's best young talent. This season, Smith will look to lead a very inexperienced offensive line protecting QB Dak Prescott. The longest-tenured player in the projected starting lineup is five-year pro Terence Steele, with Smith being the next oldest. If he continues his exceptional play, not only will the Tulsa product be in the running to walk away with a new award, he could be expecting a major pay day in his rookie extension. Advertisement Winning the Protector of the Year award would go a long way in making that happen and solidifying Tyler Smith's odds of being the next great Cowboys lineman. Related: Cowboys Make Official $21 Million Decision on 2-Time Pro Bowler Related: Cowboys Experimenting with Offensive Line Versatility This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Knicks Could Target 'Landmark' Player in Offseason After Falling Short of NBA Finals: Report
Knicks Could Target 'Landmark' Player in Offseason After Falling Short of NBA Finals: Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Knicks have a crucial offseason ahead of them after they fell short of reaching the NBA Finals. Advertisement New York fell just two wins short of making the NBA Finals as they were eliminated in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Indiana Pacers. While it was not the end to the season that the Knicks had hoped for, it was still a successful campaign as their offseason additions of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges helped them reach the Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward OG Anunoby (8), and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32)© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Now the Knicks face a pivotal offseason, especially with them entering next season as one of the top teams in the East along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers due to Jayson Tatum's injury for the Boston Celtics. Advertisement Because of this, New York is in prime position to upgrade their roster and make a championship push next season and ESPN's Shams Charania is not ruling out them going after another star player. 'I'm told the Knicks have internal meetings this week to evaluate everything from the roster, different changes they could make around everything, but especially the roster… Whether it's a landmark player that you could bring in there or definitely depth on that bench,' Charania said. This is a major report by Charania and one that makes complete sense for New York, though they do lack tradeable assets, especially draft picks. Advertisement Of course, there are potentially multiple stars that could be on the move this offseason with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant headlining them, both of whom have been linked to the Knicks. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34)© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images For the Knicks to land another star next to Jalen Brunson, they may have to move on from Towns, Bridges or OG Anunoby to land them but a potential new big three in New York could end up propelling them to a championship next season. If they decide not to go after another star, expect the Knicks to upgrade their depth to have a better chance of winning a title next year. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'If I could have taken anyone, I would have taken Isak. That's not being disrespectful to the others, but he is just brilliant': Arsenal legend says Alexander Isak would be tailor-made for the Gunners
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Alexander Isak has been continuously linked with a move to Arsenal. | Credit: Getty Images Alexander Isak has been described as a 'brilliant' fit for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team. Isak, ranked at no.2 in FourFourTwo's list of the best strikers in the world right now, has been a revelation since his move to Newcastle United in 2022, having now scored 62 goals in just 109 appearances for the Magpies. Advertisement Arguably one of the best centre forwards in Europe, the Gunners have been continuously linked with a move for the Sweden international, but are said to have cooled their interest earlier this year, much to the dismay of one ex-Arsenal hero. Why Alexander Isak is PERFECT for Arsenal yet still so out of reach Alexander Isak is valued by Newcastle United at around £150m | Credit: Getty Images For now, Arsenal look set to explore other striker options which include this likes of Viktor Gyokeres and fellow long-term target Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig. Having discussed all three, one man who knows a thing or two about finding the back of the net for Arsenal believes Isak's Premier League experience already sets him apart the rest. Benjamin Sesko is another striker option Arsenal have been pursuing | Credit:"It's tough simply because there aren't many options out there and the ones that are out there, everyone is looking for," said Ian Wright when speaking to Betway recently. Advertisement "I'm seeing Šeško, Gyökeres – Isak is probably someone who isn't going anywhere now. If I could have taken anyone, I would have taken Isak. That's not being disrespectful to the others, but he is just brilliant. "I think we need another forward too," continued Wright when asked about Arsenal's summer plans. "Bukayo Saka is amazing but if we can get him more rest time, that will only benefit our club. We need another forward who can either play on the right or the left, alongside a Number 9. Would also love us to get a back-up centre back. Myles Lewis Skelley has probably got the left-back slot. "I don't know what is happening with Partey although (Martin) Zubimendi looks to be coming in. So, if we can strengthen defence, midfield and the forward line – but with two up front, with one of them as a Number 9 – then I would be happy with four players coming in." Ian Wright says Arsenal should be looking to strengthen in all areas this summer | Credit: Getty Images In FourFourTwo's opinion, Wright is correct to point out how good Isak would be at Arsenal, but we cannot see why or how Newcastle would sell the talented forward, especially to a direct Premier League rival. With continuing murmurings suggesting Gyokeres is edging closer to a move to the Emirates, he may present better value, and his record in Portugal speaks for itself.
