First Take

First Take

First Take is always a heated discussion as Stephen A. Smith and guests debate about the day's top stories.

Episodes

February 25, 2026 46 mins
First Takes resumes with Stephen A.'s smoking hot Thunder take! How much can we trust them without SGA? (0:00) Then, Browns GM Andrew Berry on Shedeur's chances to start week 1! Next, Mad Dog is MAD at Olympic hockey OT, Tarik Skubal, and Aaron Glenn! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take begins with Loss-Angeles! Luka deferred to LeBron with the game on the line, passing up two open looks! How much trouble are the Lakers in? (0:00) Then, Stephen A. just wants the Knicks to put him out of his misery! KAT, WHERE ARE YOU???? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE FINALS!!! (26:30) Next, who has the better MVP case: -9.2 NetRtg Jaylen Brown, or +14.0 NetRtg Nikola Jokic? Stats don't tell the whole story. Watch the gam...
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February 24, 2026 48 mins
First Take resumes with Mel Kiper Jr's updated mock draft! Find out where he has Ty Simpson and Fernando Mendoza! Then, Kevin Durant sounds off on USA basketball critics. (15:30) And, does Cade Cunningham own the Knicks? Monica says to pump the brakes! (31:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take begins with the sensational Spurs! Wemby's block party stumped Cade and Pistons. Which team has a better chance of reaching the finals? (0:00) Then, is this a prove-it year for George Pickens if the Cowboys choose to franchise tag him? (27:10) And, CM Punk and AJ Love prepare us for The Elimination Chamber Saturday at 7 ET! (39:00) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take resumes with Big Perk's case for Jaylen Brown winning MVP. (0:00) Then, after blowing an eighteen point 4th quarter lead to the Knicks, should we stop taking the Rockets seriously as title contenders? (16:30) Next, WWE superstar Trick Williams talks Elimination Chamber! (27:50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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February 23, 2026 46 mins
First Take begins with another Celtics beatdown. Has Jaylen Brown officially entered the MVP conversation? (0:00) Then, Shaq gave some wise words to KAT on his playstyle. (25:40) Next, after the undermanned Thunder drubbed the Cavs, should we be worried about Spida and Harden's finals chances? (40:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take resumes with another MSG massacre. Will Big Perk declare the Knicks title hopes officially dead? (0:00) Then, If Steph wants that elusive 5th ring, does he need to leave the Warriors? (15:20) Next, are the Bears on the move? Indiana passed a bill hoping to lure them away from their long time home in Chicago... (25:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take is live with an ENRAGED Stephen A. Smith. Do the Knicks have any shot of coming out of the East after another blowout loss at the hands of Cade and the Pistons? (0:00) Then, Perk, Monica and Stephen A. react to Mat Ishbia's tanking comments. (26:00) Next, which Western Conference team should worry OKC the most? (40:50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take resumes with more on the Knicks-Pistons battle. With a win tonight, would the Knicks prove they're on the Pistons level? (0:00) Then, Perk comes in with a banger!! Darius Acuff Jr. is the best guard Coach Cal has ever coached??? Better than D Rose and John Wall?? (12:40) And, Perk lists his top 5 NBA box office stars! (30:10) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take begins with a showdown in the Garden! The Pistons and Knicks face off in a matchup that could determine the 1 seed in the East! And, LeBron declares the Lakers can still compete for the title if healthy! (0:00) Then, Stephen A. has an issue with Darryn Peterson missing another second half. (21:40) And, future NBA commissioner Draymond Green??? (41:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take resumes with 2nd half of the NBA season storylines we're looking forward to the most! (0:00) Then, is franchise tagging George Pickens the right move for the Cowboys? (17:50) Next, Mad Dog is mad at Bryce Harper, Kansas State, and his missing Pebble Beach invitation!! (27:50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take is live with Giannis questions... Would he fit well with Luka in the City of Angels? (0:00) Then, tomorrow night, the Knicks aim to avoid a season sweep at the hands of the mighty Pistons. Mad Dog gives us the keys to victory in this budding Eastern conference rivalry! (12:45) Next, how much would the Chiefs improve with Tyreek Hill? (20:25) And, with 1/3 of the league tanking, should Adam Silver embrace the suck rather ...
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First Take resumes with the NBA's future. With LeBron, Steph and KD on the brink of retirement, does the NBA need to quickly find a new face of the league? (0:00) Next, KD and the Rockets stumbled heading into the All-Star break. Can they return to form and make noise in the West? (19:30) Then, Stephen A.'s top 5 NBA title contenders. (25:30) Finally, No. 9 overall basketball recruit Dylan Mingo commits live! (34:00) Learn more abo...
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First Take begins with Eastern Conference favorites. Will the Pistons and Knicks face off in the ECF, or can James Harden finally get the Cavs over the hump? (0:00) Next, Stephen A. thinks Wemby can carry the Spurs deep into the playoffs. (27:00) Finally, are the Celtics real threats in the East if Jayson Tatum returns? (40:40) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First Take resumes with the young Americans being crowned ASG champs after taking down a European god squad and a group of aging legends. Should we brace for an American takeover after years of overseas dominance? (0:00) Then, CP3 quietly called it quits over the weekend, officially putting an end to his unfortunate retirement tour. Did the Point God deserve a better send off? (16:30) Next, breaking news!! The Dolphins released Tyr...
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February 16, 2026 47 mins
First Take is live with a new and improved All-Star game!! The US vs. World format proved successful as players tried, LeBron skied, and Kawhi turned the tide! Wemby and Ant led the way, and may have started a "face of the league" off. Is this All-Star game rendition here to stay? (0:00) Then, LeBron seems ready for life without the NBA, but is the NBA ready for life without LeBron? Who can we look at as the league's torch carrier ...
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First Take resumes with western conference dominance. The Thunder have stumbled a tad, mainly because of injuries to key players, but still head into the all-star break with the NBA's best record. Would you take them or the field to make it to the finals out of the west? (0:00) Then, Stephen A., David Dennis JR., and Shump discuss the new USA vs. World All-Star Game format. (10:40) Next, which NBA team was the biggest disappointme...
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First Take is live with the ageless king. LeBron gave us a triple-double to go along with a win vs. the Mavs heading into the all-star break. Should we prepare for a second half surge from the Lakers? Plus, Windy, Shump, and Stephen A. solve tanking! (0:00) Then, Trinidad Chambliss won his case and is eligible for another CFB season. He'll have another season to prove himself to the draft experts! (25:10) Next, which current QB bus...
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February 12, 2026 46 mins
First Take resumes with the loaded 2024 QB class: Williams, Daniels, Maye and a few more still trying to prove themselves. Mina Kimes picks her favorite. (0:00) Then, the Jazz pulled their starters going into the 4th quarter of a close game. Other teams like the Nets and Pacers are preparing to go into MEGAtank mode after the All-Star break. Has the NBA's tanking issue officially gone TOO far? (12:30) Next, a bad Super Bowl perfor...
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First Take begins with a party in the pacific northwest! The Seahawks parade was rowdy, and Ernest Jones made sure Darnold's doubters got what they deserved. (0:00) Then, David Dennis Jr. is BEGGING the Knicks for some consistency! (15:20) Next, KD spoke out against European players effort in the All-Star game. Is this the year the NBA's creme de la creme give us an intense battle like 2020? (24:45) Learn more about your ad choic...
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