Shaquille O'Neal undergoes successful hip replacement surgery

TNT's Ernie Johnson confirmed that O'Neal had hip surgery, which will keep him off the set of "Inside The NBA" indefinitely. 

TNT's NBA coverage has slowed down this week due to the NCAA Tournament.

O'Neal suggested on "The Big Podcast With Shaq" that he was targeting the beginning of the NBA playoffs for his return. He is likely prohibited from racing Kenny Smith to the video board for a while.

Especially if there's a Christmas tree involved.

O'Neal has been trying to get healthier since being diagnosed with sleep apnea. 

He dropped 40 pounds late last year, and told "Entertanment Tonight" that he's planning to stop eating bread. “I think I could get the Marky Wahlberg look," O'Neal said. "I want to be known as the Black Mark Wahlberg.”

Now the extra mobility should help him continue to improve his retirement body. And it might held him continue to dodge process servers.

The only thing O'Neal might regret? Not being there when Charles Barkley admitted to showering with his jersey on to wash it.