In the world of sports broadcasting, eyes are always on the commentators just as much as on the players.

So when ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was reportedly seen playing solitaire on his phone during a crucial NBA Finals game, it quickly sparked conversation among fans.

The Solitaire Sighting at Game 4

During Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, an eagle-eyed fan at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis apparently caught Smith playing the classic card game on his phone.

The photo, taken from the upper bowl, shows a screen full of cards, suggesting he’d been at it for some time—if it’s real at all.

Interestingly, another fan seated in the lower deck also seems to have spotted Smith glued to his phone during the game action, adding fuel to the buzz.

Fans React with Surprise and Disbelief

Once the photo made its rounds on social media, reactions came fast and furious.

One Twitter user joked, “How can you have all of these opinions while you’re playing solitaire instead of watching the game @stephenasmith?” Others weren’t so amused, calling the moment “embarrassing” and even labeling Smith “a disgrace.”

Despite the chatter, Smith himself has not addressed the photo publicly.

He continued his usual on-air role moments after the game concluded, without mentioning the solitaire controversy.

The Game That Kept Everyone on Edge

Meanwhile, the game itself was anything but boring.

The Oklahoma City Thunder mounted an impressive 12-1 run in the final three minutes to pull off a 111-104 victory over the Pacers, leveling the NBA Finals at 2-2.

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with a stellar 35 points, going 12-for-24 from the field and playing a key role in the Thunder’s clutch finish.