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Charles Barkley Takes Mean Shot At Broadcasting Partner Ernie Johnson

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Mar 30, 2025 7:22 PM ET

Longtime colleagues Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson traded verbal haymakers on Sunday.

TNT's NBA broadcasters are both working on CBS's studio show during the men's NCAA tournament. Things got chippy following Houston's 69-50 win over Tennessee.

While discussing the Elite Eight blowout, Barkley playfully attempted to block the host from the conversation. Unlike the other panelists, Johnson didn't play or coach college basketball.

"We're talking. No, you're not, Ernie," Barkley said. "I'm not going to ask you no basketball questions unless I would say, what kind of Gatorade did you bring the players back in the day?"

His colleagues laughed at the "totally unnecessary" barb as Johnson kept his arms extended in disbelief. But luckily for all involved, Johnson knows Barkley well enough to shrug off his banter.

"Let me say something," Johnson responded. He built tension with a dramatic pause before smiling. "That was a great shot right there."

Shortly after, Johnson also got revenge on Barkley. As Kenny Smith recalled cutting the nets for the first time, Johnson noted the former Auburn star's lack of collegiate or NBA championships.

ERNIE GOT CHUCK BACK pic.twitter.com/zyo5q0RPfi
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 30, 2025

"Do you have a similar story, Charles? Johnson asked. "No, you don't."

With his eyes closed, Barkley smiled and laughed.

"It's getting hot in here, boy," Clark Kellogg declared as an appreciative Smith pumped his fists.

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 7: Charles Barkley smiles before the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers as part of the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament on December 7, 2023 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images)Mike Kirschbaum/Getty Images

Inside The NBA is arguably the most beloved sports studio show in part because of the team's rapport. Johnson and Barkley are at the center of the show's seamless chemistry, and they're not dialing down their roasting for CBS viewers.

Fans are now waiting to see if Barkley and Johnson keep working together. TNT is losing its NBA rights after the 2024-25 season, but ESPN will license Inside The NBA.

Barkley has backtracked on retirement plans and said he won't jump to NBC or Amazon Prime. However, he hasn't committed to following the show to ESPN.

Johnson told Dan Patrick earlier this week that he "can kind of see the finish line," but he's not retiring yet.

"I can't wait for next year," Johnson said. "Can't wait to stay with the guys, and then we'll just see for the years after that what comes up and what I feel like doing."

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

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