Smith's Public Apology
Knicks Stars Brunson, Hart Force Stephen A. Smith Apology Live at MSG Celebration
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Key Points
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The live episode was recorded at Madison Square Garden’s Infosys Theater (with co-host Matt Hillman), with Smith inserted as a “secret guest,” turning the taping into a real-time test of his past comments.
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Beyond the Knicks stars and their co-host, the show drew additional onstage guests including Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles “Deuce” McBride, Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony, and the hosts’ wives (Ali Brunson, Shannon Hart, Samara Hillman).
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As Smith walked out to boos, Hart quipped, “Are they saying ‘Deuce?’” and Smith replied with a defiant line: “Boos are cheers.”
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During his apology, Smith underscored his rooting history by saying, “I came out of the womb a Knicks fan,” before addressing his earlier criticism of Brunson and the team.
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The celebration atmosphere included chants such as “M-V-P!” for Brunson, and the event was held on Juneteenth, with other guests receiving loud cheers.
One day after the New York Knicks ended a 53-year title drought, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart turned their podcast into a public reckoning. At a sold-out live taping of *The Roommates Show* at Madison Square Garden's Infosys Theater on June 19, 2026, the two stars brought ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith onstage — and made him apologize on national television Yahoo Sports.
Hart and Brunson arrived with the Larry O'Brien Trophy and years of receipts. Smith, who had long questioned both players' potential, walked out to a sustained chorus of boos from more than 5,000 fans. By the end of the night, he admitted he was "beyond wrong" — on a live ESPN simulcast Yahoo Sports.
A Decade of Doubt That Came Due in One Night
Smith's criticism of the "Nova Knicks" core dates back to 2016. After Villanova won the NCAA title, Smith claimed the roster — which included Brunson, Hart, Mikal Bridges, and Donte DiVincenzo — had no "real NBA prospects." All four later became starters or stars on a championship team Yahoo Sports.
The second strike came in 2022, when the Knicks signed Brunson to a four-year, $104 million deal. Smith went on *First Take* and asked, "Who is he, Kevin Durant? What the hell are we doing?" That clip circulated widely for years — and Hart brought it up onstage Yahoo Sports.
Boos, Receipts, and a Forced Apology at the Garden
When Smith walked out as the show's "secret guest," the crowd erupted. Hart quipped, "Are they saying 'Deuce'?" — a nod to teammate Miles McBride's nickname. Smith fired back with a defiant line: "Boos are cheers." The crowd disagreed loudly Yahoo Sports.
Hart pressed Smith directly to admit he was wrong. Smith relented. "I came out of the womb a Knicks fan," he said, before adding, "I was beyond wrong." He apologized to Brunson, Hart, and the entire Knicks organization — live, on ESPN, in front of 5,000 people at MSG Yahoo Sports.
Championship Energy: Trophy, Carmelo, and MVP Chants
The event was more than a confrontation. Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride, and Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony all appeared onstage. The hosts' wives — Ali Brunson, Shannon Hart, and Samara Hillman — joined too. The crowd chanted "M-V-P!" for Brunson, who was named 2026 Finals MVP after the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 Yahoo Sports.
The show was held on Juneteenth and raised money for the Garden of Dreams Foundation. It was presented by Chase and simulcast on ESPN. Every ticket was sold. The event blended community celebration with what one media analyst called "accountability media" — athletes controlling the story on their own turf Yahoo Sports.
Athletes Take the Mic — and the Narrative — Away From TV Pundits
Brunson and Hart did not wait for a *SportsCenter* segment to clear the air. They built the stage, sold the tickets, and invited Smith into their space. The crowd's reaction — sustained boos, MVP chants, and a packed house — showed fans were ready to watch that power shift happen in real time Yahoo Sports.
Smith's earlier June 15 apology on *First Take* had landed flat. Brunson told him, "We'll see…" That skepticism proved well-founded. The MSG moment was different: public, loud, and on the players' terms. It set a new template for how champions can hold critics accountable — without a TV producer controlling the edit Yahoo Sports.
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