In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the basketball community, ESPN has announced that veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith will not be part of the NBA Countdown team for the remainder of the season. The unexpected decision marks the end of an era for the network's premier basketball coverage.
The End of an Era at ESPN
The revelation came on Monday, November 17, when ESPN unveiled its revamped NBA Countdown lineup on social media platform X. Stephen A. Smith's conspicuous absence from the roster immediately caught the attention of NBA fans worldwide, sparking diverse reactions across digital platforms.
This development represents a significant departure from tradition, as Smith had been a fixture on the program and its predecessor for more than two decades. The television personality first joined the network's basketball coverage in 2003 as an analyst on NBA Shootaround, which later transformed into NBA Countdown in 2012.
Meet the New NBA Countdown Team
ESPN's restructured lineup features several prominent basketball personalities. The new team includes Brian Windhorst, Malika Andrews, NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone, and Kendrick Perkins. Additionally, Shams Charania will contribute as a reporter during the program.
Brian Windhorst's inclusion comes fresh off signing a multi-year contract extension with ESPN, where he will serve as an analyst alongside Malone and Perkins. Malika Andrews returns for her third season as the show's primary host, while Charania continues his regular appearances, delivering breaking news and insider information.
Technological Upgrades and Broadcast Details
The revamped NBA Countdown will feature cutting-edge technological enhancements when it premieres on Wednesday, November 19, at 6:30 PM ET on ESPN and the ESPN app. The program will originate from ESPN's state-of-the-art NBA studio in Los Angeles.
Among the innovations is Virtual Reality 2.0 technology, which made its debut during ESPN's 2025 Western Conference Finals coverage. According to the network's official statement, this upgraded version includes photo-realistic player avatars and stabilized first-person perspective, creating an immersive virtual NBA environment for analysts.
The show will lead pregame and halftime coverage for select NBA game nights on ESPN throughout the 2025-2026 season. Despite the significant lineup changes, Stephen A. Smith has remained silent regarding his unexpected departure from the program that defined much of his broadcasting career.
