Stephen A. Smith calls out 'patently false' NBA Finals national anthem controversy originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA Finals bring plenty of theatrics to get fans excited for the grandest stage in professional basketball.
From the Larry O'Brien Trophy making a return to the court in 2026, to ESPN/ABC broadcasting lineup introductions, helping fans feel the consequences of the massive games, there's plenty of details that go into making the Finals feel exciting. For Wednesday's Game 1 between the Knicks and Spurs, national anthem singer Tori Kelly turned in an excellent rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
However, after some fans online criticized Spurs players for how they handled themselves during the national anthem, one notable figure responded to defend the players: Stephen A. Smith.
Here's what Smith had to say about any national anthem controversy in Finals Game 1.
The NBA Finals bring plenty of theatrics to get fans excited for the grandest stage in professional basketball.
From the Larry O'Brien Trophy making a return to the court in 2026, to ESPN/ABC broadcasting lineup introductions, helping fans feel the consequences of the massive games, there's plenty of details that go into making the Finals feel exciting. For Wednesday's Game 1 between the Knicks and Spurs, national anthem singer Tori Kelly turned in an excellent rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
However, after some fans online criticized Spurs players for how they handled themselves during the national anthem, one notable figure responded to defend the players: Stephen A. Smith.
Here's what Smith had to say about any national anthem controversy in Finals Game 1.
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