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Stephen A. Smith is firing back at Jaylen Brown after the Boston Celtics star called the popular ESPN personality “the face of the clickbait media” during a Twitch live stream over the weekend.
Brown also referred to Smith as a “clown,” but the veteran sports pundit took time on Monday’s edition of “First Take” to address those comments in a lengthy rant of his own.
“I’m not going to disrespect Jaylen Brown,” Smith said. “…He’s pointing his finger in the wrong direction. Point it at yourself, bro.”
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Stephen A. Smith questioned whether NBA players feel safe in Memphis, and Grizzlies guard Ja Morant responded during a 2024 NBA event. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Smith had criticized Brown for saying that the last season with the Boston Celtics, which ended in the first round of the playoffs with a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, was his favorite in the franchise. Brown responded Sunday night by telling the ESPN personality to “be quirt.”
“Did he just tell me to be quiet? Be quiet for who?” Brown said Sunday night. “Man, f— Stephen A. Stephen A, Stephen B, Stephen C. My offer still stands. You want me to shut up and stop streaming, well, I want you to shut up and leave these networks because you’re not using your platform to do real journalism. You’re using your platform to use clickbait.”
CELTICS STAR JAYLEN BROWN ROBBES AT ESPN’S STEPHEN A SMITH AS FEUD ESCALATES: ‘FACE OF CLICKBAIT MEDIA’
“Tell this mother—- is to retire because he’s the face of clickbait media at the time, and maybe with his retirement we can start a movement to get the rest of these mother—-ers out of here — or have some kind of…forget journalistic integrity, actual integrity to hold themselves accountable to the bulls– they take out.”
However, Smith doubled down on his earlier comment in Monday’s monologue.
“The Boston Celtics, the most storied franchise in basketball annals, 18 [championships]. You helped deliver one of them just two years ago. Two years later, you all blow a 3-1 lead for the first time in franchise history while driving the bus. And 24 hours after you didn’t go to the basket for the last two minutes, after you all launched three-pointers on six separate occasions and missed every single one of them. [In] 24 hours after it was over, you went on camera representing the Boston Celtics and called it your favorite season. A season where Jayson Tatum sat on the bench for 60 games, a season that ended with you blowing a 3-1 lead, a season that ended with you getting bounced in the first round. You went on to say it was your favorite season.”
“Since you represent the franchise, I was simply giving notice that it was unwise for someone considered relatively wise to say that 24 hours after being sent home after surrendering a 3-1 lead in the postseason for the first time in franchise history. That’s what I said.”
Celtics star Jaylen Brown fired back at ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith after the “First Take” host told Brown to “be quiet” following Boston’s playoff collapse. (Images)
Smith ended his tirade with a warning to Brown.
“Finally, Jaylen Brown, be careful what you wish for,” he said. “You really want me to start reporting on that level? Do you understand? Locker room, how the organization might feel about you, how the city might feel about you, how Jayson Tatum might or might not feel about you. Sneaker deals, endorsement deals, the list goes on and on.
“The season is over bro. You’re on Twitch trying to do what I’m doing and I need to step away. It makes no sense. I’m not being disrespectful. I’m just making it clear that 24 hours after ending your season in the first round, it’s not smart for you to come out and talk about how it’s your favorite season. It’s not the smartest thing to do.”
Smith also began his statement by saying how he has been on the Browns’ side throughout the season as well as in the past. He brought up his philanthropy in his community and explained how much he respected Brown.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., on April 30, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
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As Smith mentioned, the Celtics were shockingly bounced from the NBA Playoffs after losing three straight games to end their first round tie with the Sixers. During the regular season, as Tatum rehabbed from injury, Brown was the focal point for the Celtics, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
Boston ended up winning No. 2 in the Eastern Conference after going 56-26, but they couldn’t finish against Philadelphia, ultimately setting an unfortunate franchise story in the process.
