Stephen A. Smith Issues 'Threat' To Republicans Before Game 3 of NBA Finals
Stephen A. Smith has made it clear: if the Knicks lose to the Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, he's blaming President Donald J. Trump and the Republicans.
The ESPN personality has made it extremely clear that he does not want President Trump to attend Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. Smith believes that President Trump is being selfish and causing a distraction, while making life difficult for Knicks fans, as extra security measures are causing chaos outside of the arena.
"He's coming to Game 3 of the NBA Finals, and I don't want him there," Smith said. "It has nothing to do with politics, policy, or anything like that. It has everything to do with him disrupting and contributing at the same time to the chaos that's going to be existing at Madison Square Garden."
Smith added: "If it were Barack Obama coming to the Garden, I would say, ‘Stay home.' Stay at the White House… I have been covering sports for over 30 years. And I'm telling you right now, come Monday, for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, I expect to see an environment I have never seen in my entire career covering sports."
With hours to go until Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Smith issued an official "threat" on Monday afternoon.
Smith is ready to blame Trump, Republicans if Knicks lose tonight
Smith didn't hold back.
"This president has no business showing up in New York City," Smith ranted Monday morning on First Take. "I am dead serious. It is selfish, it is narcissistic, it is ridiculous that he is coming to this game."
He continued with a threat to Republicans and President Trump.
"If it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I'm blaming him," Smith insisted. "I'm blaming the president of the United States! I'm gonna stay on that. And (expletive), I hope the GOP loses votes because of it if we lose tonight! I'm gonna be against them. All of them! I'm telling you right now. We better not lose tonight's game.
"I've been fair-minded, down the middle as an Independent for a long time. (Expletive) hath no fury like Stephen A. scorned if the New York Knicks lose tonight. I'm gonna be in their (expletive) like back pockets, like white on rice. I'm telling you that right now. We better not lose tonight's game! We were riding, we were flowing, and this man gonna show up to the Garden tonight. You gotta be kidding me!"
You've been warned, Republicans.
Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals is set for Monday night at 8:30 p.m. E.T. It'll air on ABC.
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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 11:24 AM.