Stephen A. Smith Defends Spurs' Behavior During U.S. National Anthem

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith isn't exactly loving the criticism that Victor Wembanyama is receiving on the internet.

Wembanyama, who had 26 points on 6-of-21 shooting from the field, was spotted pregame with his arms crossed as "The Star-Spangled Banner" was playing at Frost Bank Center.

Bobby Burack of OutKick shared footage from Wednesday night's pregame ceremony along with this caption: "New "face of the NBA" Victor Wembanyama kept his arms crossed during the entire National Anthem ahead of the NBA Finals."

Some people had a huge issue with Wembanyama crossing his arms during the national anthem. Smith however, isn't one of them.

After wrapping up this Thursday's episode of "First Take," Smith defended Wembanyama on social media.

"This is patently false," Smith wrote on X. "There are plenty of people who listen to the Nat'l Anthem and simply bow their heads with their hands in front of them or behind their backs and pay respects. Holding your hand over your heart is not a requirement. The Spurs were not being disrespectful in anyway. Who is anyone to say they were just over that gesture? That is utterly ridiculous!!!"

Putting Wemby on blast.

Smith didn't have an issue with Wembanyama's behavior in Game 1. However, he put the French phenom on notice ahead of Game 2.

According to Smith, the NBA Finals will be a "wrap" if the Spurs fail to win Game 2 on Friday night.

"Y'all better win [Friday] night or we ain't coming back," Smith said, via NJ.com. "I'm telling you, you better win tomorrow night. I know that what I'm going experience on Monday at Madison Square Garden is unlike anything that I have ever seen in my lifetime. And I'm telling you right now...If you [the Spurs] lose Game 2, you have let the New York Knicks know, ‘Wait a minute. We can go to the Garden and we don't have to come back to The Alamo?' Oh my Lord, the New York Knicks fanbase, don't think about driving [to the Garden]. You better use the subway, you better use scooters and all this stuff...You'll see it on television, but to be there live. I've been covering sports for 30 years, I will never experience what I know I'm going to experience Monday in New York City."

Tipoff for Game 2 is at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 10:20 AM.