Josh Hart Fires Back at Stephen A. Smith Over Knicks Criticism

The New York Knicks forward bluntly called out the media personality for his comments about the team.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:20am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

New York Knicks forward Josh Hart fired back at ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith for his recent critical comments about the Knicks, telling him to "shut the hell up" because he "barely knows guys that are on the team." Hart defended his struggling teammate Mikal Bridges, saying Smith is just a "part-time Knicks fan" who doesn't really know the players.

Why it matters

This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between NBA players and outspoken media personalities like Stephen A. Smith, who are often quick to criticize teams and players. Hart's blunt response shows he is willing to stand up for his teammates and the organization against perceived unfair or uninformed commentary.

The details

In a recent interview, Josh Hart called out Stephen A. Smith for his controversial comments about the Knicks, saying "For me, I think Stephen A. [Smith], as a part-time Knicks fan, needs to shut the hell up. He barely knows guys that are on the team." Hart was defending his teammate Mikal Bridges, who has been in a shooting slump this season, but Hart believes Smith doesn't really know the players well enough to make such strong criticisms.

  • The Knicks are less than a month away from the 2026 NBA playoffs.

The players

Josh Hart

A forward for the New York Knicks who is averaging 12-7-5 splits this season and is expected to play a bigger role for the team in the playoffs.

Stephen A. Smith

A prominent ESPN commentator and media personality known for his outspoken and controversial opinions on NBA teams and players.

Mikal Bridges

A Knicks player who has been in an offensive slump this season, but the team is hoping he will improve his production when the playoffs begin.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For me, I think Stephen A. [Smith], as a part-time Knicks fan, needs to shut the hell up. He barely knows guys that are on the team.”

— Josh Hart, New York Knicks Forward

What’s next

The Knicks will be relying more on Josh Hart's production as they make a push for the playoffs in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between NBA players and outspoken media personalities, with players like Josh Hart willing to defend their teammates and organizations against perceived unfair criticism. It also shows the importance of media figures being well-informed about the teams and players they cover.