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Shaq crashed ESPN 'NBA Countdown' pregame show

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 11:05 PM ET

Shaquille O’Neal is getting himself acquainted to his future teammates.

Shaq crashed the ESPN “NBA Countdown” pregame show on Thursday prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. Stephen A. Smith, Malika Andrews, Bob Myers and Kendrick Perkins were all on set for ESPN when Shaq approached them. O’Neal came up holding a microphone that had an ESPN flag around it. He then went over and messed with Perkins. After having some fun with the ESPN crew, O’Neal walked away and disappeared into the night.

Shaq crashed ESPN's NBA Countdown pregame show before Game 1 of Thunder-Pacers pic.twitter.com/nr6zHz7wjP
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 6, 2025

Shaq’s time with TNT has come to an end.

TNT was the broadcast partner for the Eastern Conference finals, and once the series between the Pacers and Knicks ended, so did the run for “Inside the NBA.” The NBA Finals are being broadcast by ABC, which will be absorbing “Inside the NBA” moving forward.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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