Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Plays Fortnite at Pacers-Thunder Game Following Stephen A.’s Solitaire Uproar

Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Plays Fortnite at NBA Finals Amid Stephen A. Smith Phone Controversy
By Alex Raskin | Updated: 13:35 BST, 20 June 2025

Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson sparked attention during Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday when he was spotted playing Fortnite on his phone while sitting courtside at the Indiana Pacers’ win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The viral clip, captured just before tipoff, shows the wide receiver engrossed in the game alongside a companion scrolling on his device. The seats—reportedly valued at up to $50,000 on resale markets—drew sharp criticism from fans.

“Imagine being rich enough where 10 to 50 thousand dollar tickets don’t even matter,” one social media user commented, while others quipped, “Just watch the game.” Jefferson, a regular at Minnesota Timberwolves playoff games, is no stranger to premium seating, having attended numerous NBA playoffs this season.

[Image 1: Justin Jefferson playing Fortnite on his phone courtside. Caption: Jefferson multitasking during pre-game at the NBA Finals.]

The incident follows ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith’s viral moment during Game 4 of the Finals, where he was seen playing solitaire on his phone. Smith defended himself online, writing, “Yep! That’s me. I can multi-task. Especially during TIMEOUTS!” Though mocked initially, Smith’s prediction of a seven-game series proved accurate after the Pacers’ 108-91 victory forced a decisive Game 7.

[Image 2: Stephen A. Smith playing solitaire during a timeout. Caption: Smith’s phone use during NBA Finals Game 4 stirred similar backlash.]

The Pacers’ bench dominated Thursday’s matchup, with Obi Toppin leading Indiana with 20 points. Meanwhile, Thunder sixth man Alex Caruso struggled, finishing with a dismal -33 plus-minus rating and zero points. The series now shifts to Oklahoma City for Sunday’s finale.

Jefferson, who recently wrapped up Vikings OTAs and minicamp, will return to training in Eagan, Minnesota, on July 26. His attendance at high-profile events highlights athletes’ off-season freedom—and the scrutiny that follows.

[Image 3: Jefferson at Vikings training camp. Caption: The receiver will rejoin the Vikings for preseason preparations in late July.]

While critics question the optics of pricey seats going underused, Jefferson’s focus remains on football. After securing a record $140 million contract extension last year, the All-Pro aims to lead Minnesota’s revamped roster, now featuring quarterback J.J. McCarthy, in the upcoming NFL season.

As the NBA Finals head to Game 7, the debate over celebrity fan etiquette continues. But for Jefferson, balancing downtime and stardom is just part of the game.

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Vikings’ Justin Jefferson caught playing Fortnite at Pacers-Thunder game after Stephen A’s solitaire uproar

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Note: Image placeholders indicate where visuals would enhance the story, such as Jefferson at the game, Smith’s solitaire moment, and Jefferson in training camp.