LeBron James delivered a stunning buzzer-beating tip-in on Wednesday night, sealing the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

However, James framed the moment as more than just a game-winner it was also a response to his ongoing feud with ESPN host Stephen A. Smith.

Following the victory, James took to Instagram to post a video of Smith awkwardly throwing weak punches with a private boxing instructor.

Alongside the clip, James added laughing emojis and the text: “WHOMP WHOMP WHOMPPPPPPPP.”

The video appeared to be a direct response to Smith’s comments made earlier that day.

On his YouTube podcast, Smith addressed his March 6 confrontation with James at a Lakers-Knicks game, claiming that if James had laid a hand on him, he would have retaliated.

“Let me state for the record that while we bring up that, let me assure you it wouldn’t have gone down like that,” Smith said. “I would have gotten my ass kicked, because had that man put his hands on me, I would have immediately swung on him. Immediately. That, I’m not going to tolerate. But I knew he wasn’t going to do something like that.”

The Root of the Feud

The friction between James and Smith stems from the ESPN host’s criticism of James’ son, Bronny, who has split time between the Lakers and their G League affiliate in his rookie season.

Smith has accused James of exposing Bronny to undue scrutiny by orchestrating his path into the league.

Earlier on Wednesday, James visited Pat McAfee’s ESPN studio in Indiana, where he addressed the situation.

“He [Smith] is on a Taylor Swift tour run right now,” James said, mocking Smith’s repeated public commentary on the issue.

James also called out Smith’s claim that he initially didn’t want to address their confrontation, only to later discuss it at length.

“Are you kidding me? If there was one person that couldn’t wait for the video to drop, it was your a**. Seriously?”

Smith has since claimed that his remarks about Bronny were misconstrued. However, James dismissed that argument, stating, “He completely missed the whole point. Never would I ever not allow people to talk about the sport, criticize players about what they do on the court. That is your job… But when you take it and get personal with it, it’s my job to not only protect my household but to protect the players.”

LeBron Doubles Down

James continued his critique of Smith, ridiculing him further.

“And I know he’s going to be happy as hell, he’s going to be smiling from ear to ear when he hears me talking about him,” James added. “He’s gonna get home and grab some ice cream out of the freezer and sit in his chair in his tighty whities. Relax, bro.”

Smith has previously voiced his frustration over being confronted by James courtside.

“I thought it was weak, I thought it was some bulls***,” Smith told former NBA star Gilbert Arenas on a recent podcast. “But in the moment, I knew that I was listening to a father.”

According to Smith, James had walked up to him during a timeout and said, “Yo, you gotta stop talking s*** about my son. You gotta stop f****ng with my son. That’s my son, that’s my son!”

Days later, another video surfaced showing James speaking to ESPN colleague Richard Jefferson about the confrontation.

“That’s the only thing I’m tripping [about],” James was heard saying. “I don’t give a f***. Once he talks about: ‘I’m pleading to you as a father.’ I can’t.”

Smith later expressed his anger upon seeing this footage, arguing that James’ discussion with Jefferson validated his original point that LeBron had placed Bronny in the spotlight.

“Even though I thought that he misrepresented the argument, I was glad he did,” Smith said. “Because you see, what he was really talking about, which was confirmed with his conversation with Richard Jefferson, is that I was talking about him as a father.”

He added: “And so what happens is… had he said that to me, then I wouldn’t have been thrown off. I’d have came right back at him [and said], ‘Yes I was. I was talking about you, you did this s***.'”

James’ Performance in the Game

Despite the off-court drama, James played a crucial role in securing the Lakers’ win against the Pacers. Though he scored only 13 points, he extended his double-digit scoring streak to 1,283 consecutive games.

“It’s whatever it takes to help your teammates win,” James said postgame. “I can do other things to impact the game, that’s the beauty of my game. I’ve always built it my whole life as far as being three-dimensional, being able to get my guys involved, being able to rebound, defend, and sprinkle some points in here and there.”

Draymond Green put on a defensive clinic against Giannis Antetokounmpo, leading the Golden State Warriors to a dominant effort against the Milwaukee Bucks.

His performance wasn’t just impressive it was a masterclass in individual defense.

Late in the third quarter, Giannis brought the ball up the floor, looking to use a Brook Lopez screen in an unusual “4/5” pick-and-roll.

But Green wasn’t having it. He denied Giannis the screen and forced him into isolation.

Despite Green’s ability to contain Giannis one-on-one, Gui Santos felt the need to help off Lopez.

That decision made things easier for Giannis, who found an open man. It was unnecessary, and Green’s previous possessions had already proven he didn’t need the extra help.

Green’s lockdown defense became the story of the night. His ability to take on one of the league’s most dominant scorers without constant double teams was a reminder of his Hall of Fame-level impact.

Brandin Podziemski summed it up after the game, calling Green’s defense on Giannis, Zion Williamson, and Paolo Banchero some of his best work this season.

For Giannis, who averages nearly 20 points in the paint per game, scoring just 10 inside was a testament to Green’s defensive brilliance.

He finished with 20 points but shot just 5-of-16 from the field, well below his usual efficiency.

Green emphasized that overhelping wasn’t necessary. His game plan was simple: let Giannis go for 40 if he has to, but shut down everyone else.

The team struggled with this in the third quarter, but by the fourth, they trusted Green to handle the job himself.

His defensive presence wasn’t limited to one-on-one matchups. In a crucial empty-corner pick-and-roll between Giannis and Damian Lillard, Green held his ground without needing weak-side help.

On another play, he fought through a Kuzma screen and blocked Giannis from behind, proving that even at 35, his instincts and footwork remain elite.

Green may not have the same athleticism he once did, but his mind is as sharp as ever. He still controls games with his defensive IQ, physicality, and relentless energy.

With the recent addition of Jimmy Butler, Green has been even more aggressive, now freed up to focus on slowing down elite scorers at the point of attack.

Against Giannis, he used everything at his disposal length, positioning, and strength to disrupt Milwaukee’s offense.

Five inches shorter than Giannis but with a 7’1” wingspan, Green made sure every shot was contested, every drive was difficult.

This wasn’t just another strong defensive game. It was a reminder that Draymond Green, even after all these years, remains one of the best defenders in basketball.

As such, watch Green and Butler in the possession below:

Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler have quickly become a defensive force, operating with a level of synchronization that few teams can match.

Their chemistry was on full display against Giannis Antetokounmpo, showcasing perfectly timed rotations and defensive awareness.

On one possession, Green stepped up to hedge against a pick-and-roll, momentarily leaving Giannis open. Butler immediately “pinches in to momentarily cover Giannis.” As Green recovered, Butler slid back to his man—”a perfectly executed symphony of defensive synchronization.” The result? Green bottled up another Giannis drive, forcing him to give up the ball. The rest of the Warriors’ defense rotated as one, leading to a crucial stop.

Green has full confidence in Butler’s defensive instincts, recognizing the similarities in how they see the floor. “‘(Butler) is like me,’ Green said. ‘He thinks like me, he sees the floor like me or better… There are certain things he sees better than me.’” That trust has given Green even more freedom to be aggressive, knowing Butler is there as a safety net.

“I may do something that’s unorthodox. I may do something that’s not quite how we schemed it. But it’s something that I saw could work,” Green explained. “Every now and then you take those chances and they don’t work, you could get burned. With Jimmy on the backside, he covers it up. He’ll see me going, he’ll plug that spot.”

Green’s confidence in Butler has translated to confidence in the entire team. Since Butler’s arrival, the Warriors have posted a 107.6 defensive rating over the last 18 games second-best in the NBA during that span. “That has also resurrected talks of Green potentially becoming a frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year an award he admittedly is aiming to win once again.”

With Butler alongside him, Green is playing some of the best defense of his career. And if the Warriors keep this up, Defensive Player of the Year may just be within his reach.

The Golden State Warriors’ seven-game winning streak came to an end on Monday night with a 114-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets, despite Nikola Jokic’s absence.

Stephen Curry had an uncharacteristically rough night, shooting just 6-of-21 from the field and committing seven turnovers.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr attributed Curry’s struggles to fatigue, but Jimmy Butler had a defiant message for the team moving forward.

Butler’s Call to Action

Butler, who joined the Warriors via trade earlier this season, emphasized that it’s the team’s responsibility to step up when Curry isn’t at his best. “It’s okay to be tired. That’s on myself and that’s on us as a unit to pick up the slack for him,” Butler said.

“As much as everybody wants to think that he’s superhuman, he’s not. He is our leader, and we must protect him at all times. That’s on myself for sure. But everybody else [has] to make sure that we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing to give him a break.”

Butler also highlighted the need for better execution to ease the burden on Curry. “Make sure we don’t turn the ball over, one. Make sure we get a good shot on goal. Execute. Whenever you execute and get the ball where it needs to go, that’s my job more than anybody’s. And maybe Dray’s. [Then we make Steph’s] life easier,” he added.

The Warriors have long prided themselves on their depth, and the addition of Butler has restored balance to the roster.

While Curry remains the team’s catalyst, the Warriors will need contributions from everyone to secure a strong playoff position and avoid the play-in tournament.

This challenge could come as soon as Tuesday night, as Curry may rest against the Milwaukee Bucks to recover from his fatigue.

Butler’s leadership and determination reflect the Warriors’ ethos of teamwork and resilience.

As the season progresses, Golden State will rely on their depth and collective effort to support Curry and make a deep playoff run.