Watch: Ernie Johnson roasts Charles Barkley over Nuggets' game-sealing shot
Michael Porter Jr. wasn't the only one delivering daggers Thursday night.
Ernie Johnson is normally a stabilizing presence on the "Inside The NBA" set. But when Charles Barkley questioned Austin Reaves' defensive choice that led to Porter's game-sealing 3-pointer, "Elevator Ernie" took the opportunity to roast his colleague.
"What the hell is Austin Reaves doing leaving Michael Porter Jr. open like that?" Barkley queried, watching Reaves' unsuccessful steal attempt on Nikola Jokic.
Johnson responded even faster than Porter released his shot.
"He's gambling and losing. You should know all about that," Johnson shot back, referring to Barkley's well-publicized struggles with gambling.
Barkley once admitted to losing "probably $10 million" gambling, and in 2008, the Wynn Casino sued him over $400K in unpaid markers.
The quickness of Johnson's response was impressive. It's the kind of finely tuned reflexes Johnson showed off while racing Kenny Smith to the video board.
While Barkley complained about Johnson "putting bad juju into the atmosphere," Johnson was unapologetic, calling the joke a "layup."
Johnson also couldn't resist needling Shaquille O'Neal for his repeated insistence that Bol Bol could be as good as Victor Wembanyama. When O'Neal brought him up again, Johnson said Bol "exploded for six tonight."
Smith wisely didn't cross Johnson. He's played with superstars, and he knows that when your teammate is drilling all his shots, you stay out of his way.
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