Charles Barkley Fed Up With NBA 'Clowns' On TV

Charles Barkley sounds off. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Charles Barkley Fed Up With NBA 'Clowns' On TV

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated May 25, 2026 7:00 PM ET

Charles Barkley likes to tell it how it is - or how he thinks it is, anyway.

The longtime sports media star, known for his role on Turner Sports' "Inside the NBA" is trending for his latest comments on Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs and the Thunder are tied, 2-2, heading into Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama had a dominant performance in Game 4, evening up the series before it goes back to Oklahoma City.

But Barkley is fed up with the narratives surrounding Wembanyama.

Phoenix Suns former player Charles Barkley in attendance at Footprint Center.Mandatory Credit&colon; Mark J&period; Rebilas-Imagn Images

Barkley is not happy with the growing narrative that Oklahoma City is playing dirty and overly physical against San Antonio superstar Victor Wembanyama.

He sounded off on the "clowns" on TV.

Barkley rips 'clowns' on TV after Game 4

Barkley started off by sarcastically saying that we need to "pray" for Wemby.

“I think we all need to pray for Wemby,” Barkley said. “Because he can’t play too many minutes. They’re gonna kill him out there.”

“You’re joking,” Kenny Smith replied.

“Man, I am (expletive) sure joking,” Barkley responded.

“These people, man, they’re (expletive) me off,” Barkley continued. “I’m watching the whole games. They ain’t playing dirty. These are some of the softest fouls I’ve ever seen in my life. You’ve got these clowns on TV talking about, ‘Oh, they’re going to hurt poor Wemby.’ I was like, hurt him? Are you kidding, man? It drives me crazy watching these shows.”

Oklahoma City does play physical defense, but Barkley, who starred in the NBA in the 1990s, is certainly used to that.

He's clearly fed up with the narratives surrounding the San Antonio Spurs star, as the Western Conference Finals heads to Game 5.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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