Stephen A. Smith Out of ESPN’s NBA Countdown

Well, it looks like a familiar voice is stepping away from the NBA broadcast booth. ESPN has announced its lineup for ‘NBA Countdown’ for the rest of the season, and Stephen A. Smith, a prominent figure at the network, is notably absent. This marks a significant shift for the show, which Smith has been a part of for years.

A Long History with NBA Coverage

Smith’s connection to ESPN’s NBA coverage goes way back. He first joined the network in 2003, appearing as an analyst on the precursor to ‘NBA Countdown,’ called ‘NBA Shootaround.’ The show was later rebranded to its current title, ‘NBA Countdown,’ in 2012, and Smith remained a consistent presence throughout its run.

While his absence from this particular show is newsworthy, it’s important to remember that Smith is still a major star and a key face of ESPN. This move doesn’t diminish his overall importance to the network.

Meet the New ‘NBA Countdown’ Team

So, who will be filling the seats on ‘NBA Countdown’ for the 2025-26 season? ESPN has revealed that Senior Writer Brian Windhorst, 2023 NBA Champion head coach Michael Malone, and 2008 NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins will join the team. They’ll be working alongside Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania and the show’s lead host, Malika Andrews, who is entering her third season in that role.

Windhorst is coming aboard after signing a new multi-year contract with ESPN, and he, Malone, and Perkins will serve as analysts. Charania will continue to provide breaking news and insights as a reporter. This revamped crew is set to debut this Wednesday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN app.

Innovative Technology Enhancements

This season’s ‘NBA Countdown,’ recorded at ESPN’s state-of-the-art NBA studio in Los Angeles, will also feature some exciting new technological advancements. Viewers can expect to see Virtual Reality 2.0, which will immerse analysts like Michael Malone and Kendrick Perkins (and Chiney Ogwumike on ‘NBA Today’) into virtual NBA environments.

This advanced VR technology, which made its debut during ESPN’s 2025 Western Conference Finals coverage, has been upgraded with realistic player avatars and a stabilized first-person perspective, promising a more engaging viewing experience.