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Charles Barkley's Hot Mic Moment Before Knicks-Pacers Game is All Over Social Media

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated May 21, 2025 8:52 PM ET

The "NBA on TNT" is one of the most iconic sports television shows in the country. The show features notable personalities such as Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley.

Both O'Neal and Barkley are Hall of Fame players. This season marks the show's final run on TNT, as the network has lost its broadcasting rights to the NBA, which will now be aired by NBC. However, the show is expected to continue in some form on ESPN.

What has made this show truly special is the chemistry among the cast members. Johnson skillfully maintains control and keeps the discussions focused, even when the others go off on tangents.

One of the highlights of the show is Charles Barkley's unpredictability, which was evident once again before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. This series will be the last for the show on TNT for the foreseeable future.

In the first segment of their pregame show, the crew announced that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2025 MVP award, surpassing Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokić, who finished in second place. Gilgeous-Alexander received 71 out of 100 first-place votes.

During an interview with Gilgeous-Alexander, Barkley asked about his teammate Luguentz Dort. Although Dort has been with Gilgeous-Alexander since the beginning of their time in Oklahoma City and is recognized as an elite defender, he has never made an All-NBA Defensive Team. Barkley expressed his frustration over this, and as the show was heading to a commercial break, he was caught on a hot mic saying, "That shows the guys who vote don't know what the (expletive) they are doing."

These comments quickly caught the attention of NBA fans present. One fan commented that they want more of Barkley's hot mic moments. (Disclaimer: the language used in the video may not be safe for work.)

Need more Charles Barkley on a hot mic. @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/17jVuTMLRB
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) May 21, 2025

Charles Barkley hot mic pic.twitter.com/Yi8xDPNySR
— Kyle Nelson (@NelronHubbard) May 21, 2025

An additional person commented to the individual managing the drop button to ensure the comment would not be aired.

The guy that was supposed to hit the dump button when Charles Barkley dropped that F bomb going to commercial @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/PyVWNWSA9l
— Pumpkin Escobar (@Big_Kev_13) May 21, 2025

Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, Scottie Scheffler, Ant, Charles Barkley. Generational run of F bombs on TV. #PGA #NBA #NBAPlayoffs2025
— John Vodacek (@_jvod) May 21, 2025

Two other people commented on the moment.