Stephen A Smith DISSED on live TV after Kevin Durant leads Suns to spectacular win against Mavericks

Phoenix Suns TV announcer Kevin Ray called out Stephen A. Smith after the ESPN host's 'leadership' dig at Suns' star Kevin Durant.

Stephen A Smith DISSED on live TV after Kevin Durant leads Suns to spectacular win against Mavericks

Stephen A Smith gets criticised for Kevin Durant slander

Kevin Durant is never one to take criticism lying down. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called out the 2x NBA Champion for his ‘lack of leadership.’

Smith’s comments came in response to his lack of faith in the Phoenix Suns’ chances at making the Western Conference Finals. After a war of words between Durant and Smith, KD responded big time on Saturday night.

YouTube video

Kevin Durant and the Suns took on the reigning Western Conference Champions—Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. The Suns jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter and maintained it to secure a 114-102 victory, staving off Doncic’s heroics.

FS Video

Durant finished the game with a team-high 31 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter. After a dominant performance, Suns’ TV announcer Kevin Ray dealt some choice words in the direction of Stephen A Smith.

The man who apparently, according to some, or maybe just one, is not a leader. Led them again tonight with 31 and led them to a win.

Kevin Ray said as the Suns walked off the court following their victory

The controversy came to a head earlier this week after Smith’s outspoken criticism of Durant. KD immediately fired back at Smith, calling out the ESPN analyst for his hot take on Durant. Smith responded soon after with a damage control message about the ‘greatness’ of Durant.

The two have always maintained a hot and cold relationship off the court. Stephen A Smith has been heavily critical of Kevin Durant and his career decisions in the past.

Durant, on the other hand, has outspokenly called out the ESPN host for his hot takes and sly jibes at NBA players. The latest beef between the two adds to a feud spanning nearly a decade.

Kevin Durant trash-talks Luka Doncic during Suns’ victory

Kevin Durant went all out in their victory over the Mavericks. The Suns’ superstar forward hit jumper after jumper in the face of multiple Mavs defenders, scoring 11 tough points in the fourth quarter to seal the game.

But the most iconic shot of the night came late in the fourth quarter, as Durant rose up to hit a tough midrange jumper in the face of Mavs star Luka Doncic.

On his way back on defense, Durant hit Doncic with the ‘too small’ gesture, rubbing salt in the wounds of Mavericks fans. KD has always been one of the most prolific trash-talkers in the league, but watching him take a swing at Doncic was quite the sight.

Doncic himself has been known to be a terrific trash talker, but the Slovenian star was unfortunately on the wrong side of proceedings on Saturday night.