Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Stephen A. Smith , American sports television personality, walks on the field before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

'I Watch Over A Hundred Games A Year': Stephen A. Smith Sets Off Fiery Response On His Critics For Viral ‘Solitaire’ Video During NBA Finals

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 7:17 AM ET

Stephen A. Smith isn’t here for the Solitaire slander.

The ESPN personality found himself trending after fans spotted him casually playing Solitaire during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. While it might’ve seemed like a light moment, some fans weren’t thrilled—arguing that someone with Smith’s platform should be locked into the action 24/7.

But Smith didn’t hold back in his response.

“For those out there that don’t like it – kiss my a--,” he said during his appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “When I’m watching the game, I’m watching the game. If there’s a break in the action… I can play the damn thing for two seconds.”

Smith doubled down, reminding folks just how much time he devotes to the sport.

“I watch over a hundred games a year. I’m on TV every morning for two hours, 10 hours live every day… They don’t count all the obligations that I have,” he added. “I’m sitting there getting a little break and I decide to play a little Solitaire, which by the way, I always do. If there’s halftime, I might go on my phone for two minutes to play Solitaire.”

Sure, Game 4 was a big moment in the Finals, but Stephen A. Smith’s point stands: even the loudest voices in sports need a breather.

Ja Morant Responds to Stephen A.’s Memphis Comments

While Stephen A. Smith was defending his Solitaire habit, he also stirred the pot in another direction—this time taking heat for his comments about Memphis.

During an episode of First Take, he addressed why some NBA stars shy away from playing for the Grizzlies, saying, “There’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment.” He even said he’d spoken with local authorities about cleaning it up.

Ja Morant’s Looming NBA Investigation Gets Stephen A. Smith’s Honest Take. Photo credits: Imagn

That didn’t sit well with Memphis superstar Ja Morant.

“Talkin bout the Grizz more than the Finals wit these [cap] ahh sources,” Morant posted on X. “Instead of focusing on the performances we seen from JDub/Shai, TJ/Siakam, how this series is going, we say sumn negative about a city/team on a national level.”

ESPN-featured commentator and executive producer Stephen A. Smith on set in February ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

Morant’s clapback reflects the frustration of being sidelined in the national conversation—even during the league’s biggest spotlight.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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