LeBron James wasn’t about to let this one slide. During the Lakers’ game against the Knicks, he walked straight over to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who was sitting courtside at Crypto.com Arena, and let him have it. The reason? Smith’s recent criticism of Bronny James. After the rookie struggled against the Sixers in January, Smith publicly urged LeBron, as a father, to pull the plug on the “Bronny experiment” in LA.

That didn’t sit well with LeBron, and he made sure to address it in person.

But just when it seemed like things had cooled down, the cameras caught another interesting moment. During Saturday’s game against the Celtics, LeBron was spotted deep in conversation with Richard Jefferson and lip readers on the internet decoded it was about what he had said to SAS.

In his third response to the 21x All-Star on Gil’s Arena, Smith revealed some previously unknown details about his interaction with Bronny James. “So, I remember during a timeout in the first quarter, seeing Bronny. And Bronny looked over at me. He had this sad look on his face,” Smith recalled. “And I’m imagining Pop saw that s—, it hit him and he couldn’t hold it. And he rolled up on me.”

The veteran analyst noted that the tension in that moment was undeniable. What started as criticism on a TV show had now turned into a face-to-face confrontation on national television. With cameras rolling and thousands of fans watching, the Lakers superstar made it clear that this was personal.

And now, the fallout continues.

Speaking with Gilbert Arenas, Smith didn’t hold back when reflecting on his run-in with James. He made it clear he wasn’t impressed with how things played out. “I thought it was weak,” Smith said about the confrontation and everything that followed. “I thought it was some b——-.”

With Smith firing back, the ball is now in LeBron’s court. Given how things have unfolded, it wouldn’t be surprising if this back-and-forth keeps heating up. While Smith stays in the headlines for his feud with LeBron, he’s also making major career moves.

ESPN locks in Stephen A. Smith for the next 5 years

Stephen A. Smith just secured the bag. ESPN locked him in with a massive five-year deal reportedly worth $100 million, according to The Athletic. While the network initially stayed quiet, it later confirmed his extension, keeping him as the face of First Take while reducing his other ESPN appearances.

“I’m happy and honored to remain a member of the Disney/ESPN family for, at least, the next five years,” Smith said, promising even “bigger and bigger things ahead.” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro called him “a difference maker” and emphasized the network’s appreciation for his presence.

The new deal gives Smith a hefty pay raise from his previous $12 million annual salary, but it also allows him to step back from NBA Countdown and other shows. He’ll still appear occasionally on major events like Monday Night Football, but the reduced workload frees him up for other ventures—especially in politics.

Since Donald Trump’s win in November, Smith has leaned heavily into political commentary, frequently appearing on Fox News with Sean Hannity and criticizing both parties. His outspoken takes have even fueled speculation about a 2028 presidential run, a rumor he hasn’t exactly shut down.

All this comes as ESPN’s parent company, Disney, slashes budgets and lays off staff. While others lose jobs, Smith secures a record-breaking deal—ensuring he stays in the spotlight, whether in sports or politics.