During Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a win against the Indiana Pacers, evening the series at 2-2 as the championship returned to Oklahoma City. The heightened competition in these games has sparked conversations, including a recent incident involving Kevin Durant and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith that caught fans’ attention.

Durant Reacts to Stephen A. Smith’s Timeout Distraction

Despite questions about the star power influencing viewership, the NBA Finals have remained intensely competitive, with ESPN and ABC broadcasting the series prominently. Stephen A. Smith has received extra airtime as an analyst, but during Game 4, a fan noticed Smith playing on his phone during a timeout.

Smith acknowledged the moment himself, stating,

“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!”

—Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Analyst

Kevin Durant responded to this with a pointed Instagram message, writing simply,

“Cmon Steve,”

referring to Smith’s phone activity during the game. This brief interaction highlighted Durant’s attentiveness to the Finals and sparked discussion on social media amid his own offseason moves.

Durant’s Career Moves and Current Trajectory

Kevin Durant has been active online this offseason, amid ongoing trade rumors and speculation about his next team. After spending three seasons with the Brooklyn Nets—where he paired with Kyrie Irving and James Harden—their potential was limited by injuries and other challenges, leading to Durant’s trade to the Phoenix Suns.

Now, Durant faces the possibility of joining a fifth NBA team, as the league and fans await news on his next destination. This adds another layer of intrigue to the NBA Finals coverage and Durant’s broader storyline this season.