Stephen A. Smith Dismisses Knicks’ NBA Finals Chances Against Thunder

NEW YORK, NY — Stephen A. Smith, a prominent sports commentator, expressed skepticism about the New York Knicks‘ chances of winning the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. His remarks came after the Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, staving off elimination.

On ESPN’s “First Take,” Smith stated, “I give them zero chance, zero, of beating the Oklahoma City Thunder if they were to advance to the Finals.” He noted that despite the Knicks’ recent victory, he was unconvinced about their capabilities.

The Knicks face a steep challenge, as they would need to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the series against Indiana. Smith highlighted the significant talent gap between the Knicks and the Thunder, saying that only divine intervention could lead to a Knicks victory.

“Getting there, I’m all for it. But I would have to cover an NBA Finals where I’m a New York Knick fan and I literally believe from the bottom of my heart that nothing short of divine intervention would propel them,” Smith continued. His comments reflect a long-standing frustration with the team after years of underperformance.

In their last game, the Knicks showed grit and determination, but Smith cautioned that sustaining this level of play would be crucial. “The question is whether or not they can do it continuously. It still doesn’t mean that Game 6 is a given. A matter of fact, Game 6 is going to be even harder,” he added.

Despite Smith’s negativity, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton remained optimistic. “We’re a resilient group. We always want to respond when things don’t go well,” he told reporters after Game 5. Haliburton believes his team will bounce back in their upcoming game.

Game 6 is set for Saturday at 8 p.m. in Indiana, where the Knicks will try to even the series and keep their championship hopes alive.