Stephen A Smith doubles down on claim Trump disrupted Knicks’ momentum in heated Hannity debate

NEW YORK CITY: Sports television personality Stephen A Smith refused to back down from his claim that President Donald Trump's Knicks appearance disrupted the team’s momentum, sparking a heated on-air clash with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

The ESPN personality doubled down on a criticism that has already triggered a public back-and-forth with Trump. Smith was defending the claim directly against Hannity’s challenge to his sports judgment.

Stephen A Smith stands by Trump criticism

The dispute stems from Trump’s attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks’ first home championship-series game in 27 years.

According to the discussion on Thursday’s episode of Hannity, Smith had argued before the game that he would blame Trump if the Knicks lost because the president’s presence disrupted the positive atmosphere around the team.

Trump was shown on the arena’s big screen and received heavy boos from the crowd.

The Knicks then lost to the San Antonio Spurs, ending a 13-game playoff winning streak.

Hannity challenged Smith’s argument and said he had “lost his mind” if he genuinely believed Trump was responsible for the team’s struggles.

Smith, however, showed no signs of retreating.

“They got their mojo back, OK?” Smith said. “But before the game, I said that and I stood by it.”

Smith tells Hannity he’s stepping outside his expertise 

The conversation quickly shifted from Trump’s attendance to a broader dispute over who had the authority to make that assessment.

Smith argued that Hannity was stepping outside his expertise.

“He had no business at that game,” Smith said of Trump.

He then turned his attention to the Fox News host.

“See, people– this is a hard conversation to your listeners out there because like you tell me to stay in my lane when it comes to politics, you don’t know sports! You don’t understand. First of all, let me be very, very clear,” Smith said.

Smith mocks Hannity’s Knicks knowledge

Hannity rejected the suggestion that he lacked sports knowledge and attempted to prove his credentials by naming several Knicks legends.

That effort did little to persuade Smith.

“Oh, please!” Smith shot back.

“You Googled something over the night? Stop it! Stop it! Please!”

The exchange marked the latest chapter in the ongoing war of words that followed Smith’s claim that Trump’s presence affected the Knicks’ momentum.

While Hannity dismissed the idea outright, Smith used the interview to make clear that he still stands by the argument and is willing to defend it publicly, keeping the dispute alive.