Mina Kimes (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

ESPN personalities like Mina Kimes, Laura Rutledge, and Kendrick Perkins have social media upset over Solitaire.

It all started on Monday when Papaya Gaming named Stephen A. Smith the company’s official ambassador for the first-ever World Solitaire Championship in February.

This partnership might seem unlikely, but it comes months after he was caught playing Solitaire on his phone at Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

On that same day, Smith posted an AI-generated ad on social media promoting Papaya’s mobile game Solitaire Cash.

“Y’all really mad I was playing Solitaire during the Finals? Maybe ask yourself why. Join now for the first time ever — World Solitaire Championship,” Smith said in his advertising announcement.

He was far from being the only ambassador named in the announcement.

A slew of NBA talent, including Dan Orlovsky, Mina Kimes, Laura Rutledge, Ros Gold-Onwude, and Kendrick Perkins, all posted on X promoting the app.

Social Media Was Disgusted With Mina Kimes’ Comment

Mina Kimes (Image Credit: Getty Images)

The promotions for Solitaire Cash continued on Wednesday with Stephen A. Smith saying, “You can’t beat my score. Nobody can. Download Solitaire Cash. Enter the “Beat Stephen” Tournament.”

All of the aforementioned ESPN personalities jumped into the comment section to reply.

Mina Kimes wrote, “#ad that’s an easy win over here.”

She also took to her page and posted, #ad Getting in practice before the game instead of during it @stephenasmith. Anyone else think they can #BeatStephen—try at @solitairecash and post your score.”

Fans lost their minds over it:

“You didn’t feel like you were above this? Yikes,” one fan said.

“Nooooo, they got Mina too??? Nooooo,” a second fan wrote.

“You are so much better than this,” a third fan stated of Mina Kimes.

“Promoting an addictive “chase the money” app. Your parents must be proud of your high integrity character,” one final fan commented.

Social media blasting Mina Kimes comes days after she was widely praised for her outfit while posing alongside Laura Rutledge inside AT&T Stadium.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.