After their initial altercation during a Knicks-Lakers game on March 6, Smith took things to another level on Thursday when he called out James for allegedly not being at Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s memorial service in 2020 after his death in an effort to seemingly criticize James’ character.

The ongoing rivalry between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith has intensified since their initial exchange on March 6 as both men continue escalating the dispute with fresh developments. The short-lived exchange between James and Smith turned into a major escalation when the Lakers’ power forward agreed to appear on The Pat McAfee Show seemingly putting an end to the matter.

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images