LeBron James angrily confronts Stephen A. Smith courtside at Lakers game

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James confronted ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith courtside during Thursday’s game against the New York Knicks inside Crypto.com Arena. The confrontation and subsequent exchange were captured on video by a fan in the lower bowl.

In the video, James appeared to do most of the talking before walking away. Smith has since addressed the incident publicly.

Damn LeBron stepped to Stephen A Smith👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/ZJIDcPU4dL

— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) March 7, 2025

Smith, who just reportedly agreed to a five-year, $100 million-plus contract extension with ESPN, has been critical of James in recent months on “First Take.” Last week, Smith called out James and other players for their “sensitivity” as it relates to media coverage of the NBA.

“These players are not appreciating the fact that it is celebrated,” Smith said this past Friday on NBA Countdown. “They have heightened their level of sensitivity to the point where they have get an attitude if you have bad breath. It’s that bad, it’s really pathetic. When you look at this show. When you look at this show. When you look at the morning shows. When you look at NBA Today. When you look at Inside the NBA. When you look at a plethora of other shows at various other networks.

“There is a lot of time spent celebrating players and celebrating the game. This is a global iconic brand. How the hell did it get there? You had something to do with that Lebron. It’s B.S.”

Smith’s comments were in response to James calling out the media for their “weird energy” as a reason for why players such as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards don’t want to be the face of the league. Apparently, James had an issue with these comments, or perhaps something else said.

LeBron James, Stephen A. Smith seen conversing at Lakers-Knicks game

“Ant already said he don’t want it,” James said last Thursday. “Ant said he ain’t trying to deal with that shit. Channing Frye said it the other day, I mean it’s unfortunate but like, ‘Why do you want to be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis shit on everybody?’ When you have that responsibility that’s just weird. It’s weird energy.”

James also could have been confronting Smith concerning his comments about his son Bronny James from January, as some lip readers have suggested. Then, Smith said that Bronny did not belong in the NBA.

“I’m really, really trying to be as respectful as I possibly can be toward LeBron James, one of the top two or three players in the history of basketball,” Smith said. “I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad. The first game of the season… father-son duo playing in an NBA game for the first time, an absolutely, positively wonderful story.

“And then reality sets in. We love what we’re seeing from [Bronny] in the G League, because that’s where you belong, as you hone your skills and you get better and you legitimately earn, which I believe he has the potential to do. I am rooting for Bronny James… he’s a wonderful kid, I wish him nothing but the best.”

Smith will have the opportunity to give his side of the story on Friday’s “First Take.” On3 will report on the comments if they are made.