NBA News: Stephen A. Smith Comes to Brian Windhorst's Defense Following LeBron James' Comments 145 Nov 24, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith sits court side during the third quarter between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks: Stephen A. Smith Rants After Game 1 Loss Against the Pacers

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated May 22, 2025 11:39 PM ET

The New York Knicks had a Game 1 collapse that cost them a win at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Against the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks lost control of the game, and it ended in a 138-135 overtime loss. The home team was in the driver’s seat for most of the game and even had a 17-point lead at one point. However, it all crumbled down in the second half, and it allowed the Pacers to mount a comeback.

The loss wasn’t even the highlight for the Pacers. Late in the fourth quarter, Tyrese Haliburton attempted a game-winning shot (which eventually turned out to be a 2-pointer to force overtime) that stunned the crowd. From that moment, the Knicks couldn’t get back in the game.

On Thursday, a disappointed Smith went live on ESPN’s “First Take.” The longtime analyst ripped the Knicks for their performance against the Pacers and did not hold back.

“I am having a very, very bad morning!” Smith began. “Look at my face, I’m not in a very good mood! It was supposed to be orange and blue skies.”

“You saw what happened last night. They were in the lead. They had a 17-point lead, and then my assistant started clapping like the world was ours. They got cocky, and the rest of the Knicks sensed it. So did Karl-Anthony Towns, so did Jalen Brunson and so did everybody else. Suddenly, everything collapsed.”

"I am having a very, very bad morning … It was supposed to be orange and blue skies."

—@stephenasmith reacts to the Knicks' Game 1 loss to the Pacers pic.twitter.com/L8iFnPMZbD

— First Take (@FirstTake) May 22, 2025

The New York Knicks still have a chance since it’s only the first game of the best-of-seven series. Game 2 will be on Friday at Madison Square Garden and the Jalen Brunson-led team is determined to take it seriously.

The New York Knicks superfan stood by what he said about Tyrese Haliburton

Oct 23, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Stephen A. Smith (Stephen Smith) on the ESPN NBA Countdown live set at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Heading into Game 1 of the series between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers, Smith had a hot take about Tyrese Haliburton. According to the longtime Knicks fan, he doesn’t think the All-Star guard is a superstar in the NBA.

“I think he’s a damn good player; I think he’s a star in this league,” the analyst said. “But superstar status is reserved for a select few, and I don’t view him that way.”

After Haliburton’s late-game heroics in Game 1, however, Smith still hasn’t changed his thoughts about the 6-foot-5 guard.

“Superstar status is reserved for the select few, and I don’t view him that way… Just because you show up in the clutch and make big shots doesn’t make you a superstar,” Smith said.

He used former NBA player Robert Horry as an example. Horry made big shots in his career but was never a star.

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

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