Stephen A. Smith Decisively Defeats Kenny Smith in Free-Throw Contest Before NBA Cup

There's a new best shooter in town on the set of TNT's Inside the NBA show. For at least one day, that is.

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith joined the program in Las Vegas ahead of NBA Cup semifinal action Saturday, and he tipped off the show by facing analyst Kenny Smith in a free-throw shooting contest.

Kenny "the Jet" Smith, who played 10 seasons in the NBA and won back-to-back championships with the Houston Rockets, accepted Stephen A's free-throw challenge earlier this week and said he would shoot left-handed to make it fair.

Well, it wasn't quite fair. Stephen A. Smith emerged victorious, nailing three of his five free-throw attempts. Kenny Smith, meanwhile, misfired on his first four left-handed attempts before knocking down his fifth.

"I'll give $10k to your charity if you hit the RIM!"

Shaq & Stephen A. with an all-time #Shaqtin shootout 😂 pic.twitter.com/wRDG50uCYn
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 14, 2024

"Now I'm warm," Kenny Smith quipped after he hit his first free-throw attempt.

The Inside the NBA crew might be seeing more of Stephen A. Smith next year, as ESPN will air the show beginning with the 2025-26 season. It appears Kenny Smith is going to have to get a few more left-handed shots up before that deal comes to fruition.