‘Don’t do this,’ warned Stephen A. Smith by NBA legend Paul George after making Kawhi Leonard dig on live TV

STEPHEN A. Smith received a text from NBA star Paul George after the ESPN personality took a shot at Kawhi Leonard.

The moment came on Wednesday when First Take star Smith appeared alongside George during ESPN’s NBA Finals coverage following the Boston Celtics’ Game 3 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

4

4

During the live TV broadcast, Stephen A. praised George while also criticizing Los Angeles Clippers teammate Kawhi Leonard.

“No one on the planet knows what it’s like to play without a star [more] than Paulo George. I’ll leave it at that,” Smith said as he looked away from George and the rest of the ESPN cast.

George quickly responded, saying, “Don’t do that,” while smiling and wagging his finger at Smith.

ESPN panelist and former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers responded, “That’s what he does,” apparently referring to Smith’s brutally honest opinions.

The shot toward Leonard appears to concern the six-time NBA All-Star’s lack of availability.

Since George and Leonard joined the Clippers in 2019, the latter has played in just 229 of a possible 410 games.

George didn’t have anywhere near a clean bill of cash. health or because he appeared in 263 of a possible 410 competitions.

Leonard played in just two of the Clippers’ six games in the first round against the Mavericks.

He played in 68 of 82 games this year, averaging 23.7 points per game, while also making the All-Star team.

However, Leonard only played 52 games in the previous campaign in 2022.

And he missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL.

Stephen A.’s comment came after a thread about the Celtics being without injured forward Kristaps Porzingis.

The 7-footer has a “rare” leg injury.

Boston still managed to win without him, as stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 61 points.

4

4

The Mavericks responded strongly in Game 4 to avoid being swept, defeating the Celtics 122-84 in the decisive victory.

Luka Doncic scored 29 points in the contest.

George made his debut as a Finals analyst on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old joined ESPN’s broadcast on Friday, while Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embid also joined the coverage.

Game 5 will take place on Monday night in Boston, as the Celtics will look to close out the series and win their 18th championship.