Stephen A. Smith just added another win to his resume—but this time, it wasn’t in a debate. Instead, he hit the basketball court to take on Kenny Smith in a free-throw contest during TNT’s Inside the NBA show in Las Vegas. With the NBA Cup semifinals on the horizon, Stephen A. showed up ready to take on the challenge and let’s just say, the result wasn’t exactly what fans might have expected.

In a contest packed with some hilarious give and take, Stephen A. Smith managed to sink 3 of his 5 attempts, while Kenny Smith only hit one. And yes, that includes a sixth attempt that technically didn’t count. Shaquille O’Neal was on the mic, hyping up the moment, and declared SAS the winner after just four rounds. But Kenny wasn’t going down quietly.

After making his fifth shot, the former Houston Rockets star claimed, “Now I’m warm,” only to miss his extra attempt. Meanwhile, Stephen A., ever the competitor, was more than ready to keep shooting if there was any doubt about his win.

This showdown, however, wasn’t just about basketball; it gave fans a rare crossover moment with SAS stepping onto TNT’s turf. The timing couldn’t be better, as Inside the NBA will make the jump from TNT to ESPN next season as part of a new media rights deal between Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA.

Now, Kenny Smith, with his career free-throw percentage of 82.9, was expected to dominate this contest. However, Stephen A. Smith, who played college basketball at Winston-Salem University before a knee injury, had other plans. Now, this might make some fans wonder—how would SAS fare against Charles Barkley or Shaq? Judging by their career shooting numbers—73 percent and 52.7 percent respectively. However, this is not the only thing that fans seem to be wondering after this contest.

Fans react to Kenny Smith’s defeat against Stephen A. Smith

One user stated what almost everyone had on their mind in the comment section of NBA on TNT’s post featuring the video of the free throw contest. “Never. Would. I. Ever. Have. Guessed. This. Result,” wrote the user.

The reaction makes sense considering The Jet managed to finish in the NBA’s top 10 twice for free throw percentage. Based on similar achievements and Kenny’s decade-long experience in the league, one fan could not help but assume, “Kenny so embarrassed”. But then there was one X user who pointed out something that, although many fans took notice of, a significant number of people seemed to have missed.

“Is everyone in the comments blind? Kenny is shooting with his left hand,” the X user wrote. Yep, the contest was a handicap on the former Rockets star’s end. But still, you cannot take away from SAS the fact that he made 3 of his 5 attempts. Something that multiple fans in the comment section credited to basketball shooting coach Chris Matthews aka Lethal Shooter.

“That lethal shooter training paid off huh? lol,” wrote one such X user. The comments stem from Stephen A. Smith’s earlier practice sessions with Matthews, where SAS displayed an impressive shooting form. And it clearly reflected when it mattered. This outcome from the contest has left some fans concerned about their beloved show—Inside the NBA.

Yep, one X user feared this was an attempt from the networks to shove Stephen A. Smith into Inside the NBA and the minds of the fans who love the show. “ESPN is gonna force SAS onto Inside the NBA next year aren’t they,” the X user commented. ESPN president Burke Magnus has, however, already clarified that they have no intentions of changing Inside the NBA or interjecting new talent into it. But a guest appearance now and then, like the recent free throw contest, could do no harm.