Stephen A. Smith melted down after Knicks’ brutal loss to Nets

Stephen A. Smith melted down after Knicks’ brutal loss to Nets

Stephen A. Smith’s reaction to the Knicks’ Tuesday night loss to the Nets was priceless.

The ESPN personality screamed in frustration in a Twitter video he shared moments after Brooklyn’s 112-110 win at home over their cross-town rivals.

“Julius Randle picks up a technical foul after getting boogied on by KD (Kevin Durant). It wasn’t the reason [the Nets] won, but dammit it didn’t help,” Smith yelled in the 36-second clip, captioned, “Knicks Loss! Damn! Damn! Damnnnnnnnn!”

Randle was hit with a technical foul with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth, after he thought he was fouled on a missed shot.

The game was tied at the time, and Durant was on a scoring tear after a slow start. He had 21 points in the second half, with Randle as the primary defender.

Durant, who finished with 27 points, also made the free throw from Randle’s technical call to extend Brooklyn’s lead.

Julius Randle during the Knicks' loss to the NetsJulius Randle during the Knicks’ loss to the NetsGetty Images

Smith’s anger carried over to Wednesday’s episode of “First Take,” when he started the show with his well-known one-liner, “I’m not having a good day.”

Meanwhile, ESPN analyst Jay Williams trolled Smith by wearing a blue and orange Knicks hat.

Randle, who finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, complained about the officiating after the game.

“I don’t know what they’re watching or what they’re seeing. As aggressive as I played, attacking the paint, I can’t be penalized for just being stronger than people. And that is an answer that I got today,” Randle said.



The Knicks forward said the refs told him that his size and strength are reasons he doesn’t get more calls. Randle, who’s 6-foot-8 and 250-pounds, went to the line twice in the loss.

“They said because certain contact doesn’t affect me like it affects other players. Because I am stronger, they miss the calls,” he said.

The officiating crew on Tuesday night included veteran NBA ref Scott Foster, Mark Lindsay and Jason Goldenberg.

The Knicks play host to the Bulls on Thursday, and the Nets play Friday at home against the Timberwolves.