- Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe will coach the celebrity game.
- Smith argued that he fell due to a wet surface while filming with Micah Parsons.
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Molly Qerim revealed that a cross by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parson sent Stephen A. Smith to the hospital ahead of the NBA All-Star weekend.
Smith reportedly had to get an x-ray after the mishap occurred while preparing for the Celebrity All-Star Game in Indiana. On Friday, the First Take host began the show with the news as Smith was unable to join the opening segment.
“This was not confirmed by Adrian Wojnarowski, this is what Stephen A told me,” Qerim said. ‘If he wants to change history when he gets here, that’s fine. This is what I understand. Stephen A. Smith is one of the coaches at tonight’s Celebrity All-Star Game.
‘So yesterday, SA had to come out and they had a practice. Then she started playing with Micah Parsons. Micah crossed him and all I know is that Stephen A is in the hospital right now getting x-rays.
The two interacted when Parsons coach Shannon Sharpe didn’t show up for her practice Thursday. As a result, Smith decided to have a little fun with the Cowboys star on the court while he scouted opponents.
Stephen A. Smith taken to hospital after basketball mishap with Micah Parsons
Molley Qerim reported that Smith fell from a Dallas Cowboys linebacker cross
Although the reported incident was not documented, Smith published a video from practice where he revealed how they planned to protect Parsons. Smith argued that Parsons’ linebacker tendencies will make it easier for him to draw offensive fouls.
When Smith joined the First Take team later in the show, he told a different story. Without denying that he was taken to the hospital early Friday, he cited the wet surface as the reason.
“That damn Micah Parsons is on the basketball court acting like he’s trying to sack quarterbacks and pushing people around,” Smith said.
“He and I were shooting, shooting at each other. And there was some sweat on the floor. I was literally about to finish shooting (and) I literally busted my butt. Feet flying in the air and ‘bam’.
Smith will host the Celebrity All-Star Game alongside First Take co-host Shannon Sharpe.
Smith went on to tell how he got up and continued shooting, but began to feel discomfort in the middle of the night. He later praised the NBA for quickly sending a doctor to his aid after saying he couldn’t walk with the pain.
With no serious injuries, Smith is equipped with a brace and boot as he prepares to go head-to-head with Sharpe and Parsons. Team Smith features players like WNBA star Natasha Cloud and NFL players Mecole Hardman and CJ Stroud.
Meanwhile, Parsons’ comrades on Team Sharpe include Puka Nacua, Conor Dally and Jewel Lloyd. Both sides also have big names in entertainment, music and social media filling out their rosters.
“I have to see who I’m going to play against and who I’m going to put on the bench,” Smith said. ‘I’m not going to lose this game tonight, okay?’
“You should have stuck with my story,” Qerim replied.