There have been plenty of memorable on-air moments over the years, and Kenny Smith’s latest slip-up during the Game 3 Finals continued to add to the list.
During the San Antonio Spurs’ road win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, Smith tripped over Josh Hart’s name in the first quarter.
Of course, the NBA world was ready with its jokes almost instantly.
Kenny Smith Mixes Up Knicks Josh Hart’s Name During Game 3 Broadcast
Smith referred to Knicks forward Hart as “Jason Hart” during the Game 3 Finals coverage. It happened right in the first quarter, with San Antonio out to an early 24-13 lead with roughly 4 minutes remaining on the clock.
Smith quickly corrected himself during the live broadcast, but the NBA world had already taken note of this error. It went viral pretty soon.
Kenny Smith Josh Jason Hart inside the nba pic.twitter.com/SIYYq0SWty
— Moonball (@moonball30) June 9, 2026
This user was among the first ones to share the gaffe, writing, “kenny smith saying jason hart lol get these dudes off my screen.”
kenny smith saying jason hart lol get these dudes off my screen
— TownsMuse (@TownsMuse) June 9, 2026
Another user joked that he could handle the gig himself and would at least get the names right. “Kenny the jet smith just called Josh hart Jason hart I think I could do that job I’d atleast get the names right.”
Kenny the jet smith just called Josh hart Jason hart I think I could do that job I’d atleast get the names right
— Greg (@_alw75) June 9, 2026
And then this user leaned into sarcasm, writing, “Ahh yes, Kenny Smith. Jason Hart has played well tonight. Josh Hart could never.”
Ahh yes Kenny Smith. Jason Hart has played well tonight. Josh Hart could never
— JTB (@jtb1012) June 9, 2026
And then this observer pointed out that it wasn’t just Smith who made a similar mistake, but also a referee.
“Kenny Smith just called Josh Hart ‘Jason Hart’ — and I’m almost 100% sure the main ref did the same tonight during a challenge. Of course, there was a Jason Hart in the NBA, and he played for the Spurs too.”
Kenny Smith just called Josh Hart “Jason Hart” — and I’m almost 100% sure the main ref did the same tonight during a challenge. Of course, there was a Jason Hart in the NBA, and he played for the Spurs too.
— Sports Media Watch (@paulsen_smw) June 9, 2026
The lead official, Marc Davis, also appeared to make a similar error during the game, referring to Hart as “Jason Hart” after issuing him a technical foul, which came out of a first-quarter scuffle with Spurs big man Luke Kornet.
Referee Marc Davis accidentally referred to Josh Hart as “Jason Hart” after giving him a technical foul 😬pic.twitter.com/aXOrvGr37x https://t.co/lVTflWGTME
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 9, 2026
Nonetheless, the slip-up does have a bit of history behind it, as Jason Hart was indeed an NBA player who spent a decade in the league.
He suited up for the Spurs during two separate stints, in 2001-02 and 2003-04, and later bounced around several teams before finally retiring in 2010.
As for the 2026 NBA Finals, the Spurs took care of business in Game 3 by ending the Knicks’ 13-game win streak with a 115-111 win.
Hart poured in 16 points and grabbed 9 rebounds as New York failed to get past a buoyant San Antonio led by Victor Wembanyama, who dropped 32 points and 8 rebounds to keep the Spurs alive.
The road game continues with Game 4 at MSG on Wednesday, with New York still leading 2-1.
