Stephen A. Smith issued an apology to Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George for his awkward on-air comment at Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

George joined the “NBA Countdown” desk, and Smith commented that “nobody on the planet knows what it’s like to play without a star [other] than Paul George.”

Those comments were aimed at Clippers oft-injured star Kawhi Leonard, who Smith has been critical of in the past for missing games. Instead of blowing up over the comments and making a scene on set, George responded with a light laugh and said, “Don’t do that.”

During an episode of “Podcast P,” the perennial NBA All-Star admitted he “didn’t appreciate that moment” with Smith. He claimed Leonard wanted to play, but his body broke down from the exhaustion of helping carry the team throughout the season.

Smith offered up an apology in a recent episode of “The Stephen Smith Show.”

“I do owe [Paul George] an apology for that, as a professional,” said Smith.

Paul George and Kawhi Leonard on the floor together

© Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

He added, “That’s Kawhi Leonard’s teammate, and it was the furthest thing from my mind, thinking about how Paul would look on the set with us because I’m just busy being lighthearted and having a good time while we’re talking about the NBA Finals.”

It was certainly big of Smith to own up to his mistake and apologize to George.

He shouldn’t have put George in that position, even if there was some truth to what he said. Leonard hasn’t consistently been available for the team in the postseason. He’s only appeared in four of the team’s last 17 playoff games.

That’s a troubling trend for a Clippers team that needs him to have a shot at contending for an NBA championship. Leonard is a competitor at his core, and he obviously would much rather be on the floor competing than sitting on the sidelines. He isn’t missing games on purpose.

Luck and timing haven’t been on his side.