Stephen A. Smith would decline ring in favor of Spike Lee if New York wins NBA Finals

While both Stephen A. Smith and Spike Lee are die-hard New York Knicks fans, the sports personality is willing to sacrifice a potential NBA Championship ring for his friend.

On the June 8 episode of ESPN’s First Take, Smith shared that the Oscar-winning director is the one who “deserves” an NBA Championship ring if the Knicks can pull out a win over the San Antonio Spurs.

“I don’t want one. I didn’t earn it,” Smith said. “Only Spike Lee deserves that. I don’t deserve that… But I will tell you this much, I don’t need one.”

He did, however, share that he has been a Knicks fan his whole life like Lee, and as the New York team leads the NBA Finals 2-0, Smith warned them, “don’t blow it.”

The last time the Knicks were in the NBA Finals was 1999, and their last championship win was in 1973.

Stephen A. Smith says he doesn’t want a ring if the Knicks win the NBA title this year

“I don’t want one. I didn’t earn it. Only Spike Lee deserves that. I don’t deserve that… But I will tell you this much, I don’t need one.”

(via @FirstTake) pic.twitter.com/jsEC1OZnGg

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 8, 2026

While the Knicks currently lead in the NBA Finals, Game 2 was a nail-biter. With 5:59 left in the fourth quarter, the Knicks led by 14 points (97-83) but ultimately gave up their lead, and the Spurs were able to tie the game. The Knicks would later win 105-104 but it left several New York fans out of their seats. With 9.5 seconds left on the clock, Brunson sank the game-winning free throw, which ultimately ended the Spurs’ chances to get a win on the board. Brunson spoke about how disappointing giving up the lead was postgame.

“The way they (Spurs) fought back and took the lead is a credit to who they are. Us staying composed helped us win the game,” said Brunson in the media conference following Game 2.

“But we do need to finish the game better. It was unacceptable, the way we just let that 14-point lead go the way we did.”

The Knicks face the Spurs for Game 4 as they lead 2-0 in the series and head to their first home game at Madison Square Garden tonight. Tip-off is set to begin at 8:30 pm ET.

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