Since joining the NBA on TNT crew, Shaquille O’Neal has brought a unique energy to the show while helping boost its popularity with his humor. On Monday night, during the halftime analysis of Game 2 between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers, Shaq once again became the center of attention for a hilarious incident.
In the middle of a lively discussion with co-hosts Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith, Shaq suddenly stood up and awkwardly hobbled off the set. Everyone was confused at first. The camera followed him until it became clear that he was making a beeline for the bathroom.
“Go ahead, keep talking, Jack. Yeah, we on TV. That’s not what we doing; go ahead,” Shaq said before disappearing into the restroom located right off the studio.
Shaq just left mid-segment on live TV to use the bathroom 😭🚽 pic.twitter.com/F3k0EtjzyE
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 22, 2025
The unexpected moment sent the studio into a fit of laughter. Ernie, Chuck, and Kenny could hardly continue their segment as they broke down over Shaq’s dramatic exit.
Fans watching at home didn’t miss a beat either. Social media lit up with jokes and memes about the incident.
“I’m crying he really almost shit himself on live television,” one fan wrote.
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I’m crying he really almost shit himself on live television 😭
— West (@curlyham) April 22, 2025
Another commented, “He was doing his Jokic defense impression…… 💩.”
He was doing his Jokic defense impression…… 💩
— Aidan LaPorta (@AidanLaPorta69) April 22, 2025
The references kept rolling in, and one viewer compared it to Paul Pierce’s infamous wheelchair moment.
“Bro pulled a Paul Pierce,” one comment read.
Bro pulled a Paul Pierce
— Aidan LaPorta (@AidanLaPorta69) April 22, 2025
“ShaQ do what ShaQ want to do,” another fan joked with a meme.
ShaQ do
— Empowered Frequency (@EmpoweredFQ) April 22, 2025
what ShaQ
want to do. . . pic.twitter.com/5BGFOFH1Vt
Shaquille O’Neal Calls Out Mavericks GM Nico Harrison
On Monday night’s episode of NBA on TNT, Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hold back when it came to Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison. When the conversation shifted toward the controversy surrounding Harrison’s recent attempts to justify the trade that sent Luka Doncic packing, Shaq stepped in with some blunt and pointed advice.
“His problem is, he wants to be liked. When he should be focused on doing his job. He made a decision. My advice to you, brother, is just do your job and just go with the flow. As long as the owners have your back, you should be fine,” Shaq said.
The former NBA champion thinks that Harrison should move on from the trade controversy instead of continuing to bring attention to it. It remains to be seen how Harrison reacts after seeing the pile of backlashes from fans and former players.
