Did you watch the game last night? The NBA playoffs got started with the Play-In Tournament with two games. In the first, the Orlando Magic blew out the Atlanta Hawks 120-95. In the late game, the Golden State Warriors kept their hopes alive with a win over the Memphis Grizzlies, 121-116. Two more Play-In games are on tap for tonight.
Of course our man Shaq has never been one to hold back — especially not during the NBA Play-In Tournament. While watching the Orlando Magic take control early in their matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night, the Big Fella made his feelings clear: the Hawks were toast.
With Atlanta trailing 61-47 at halftime, Shaq pulled out a plush version of Harry the Hawk — the team’s mascot — and went into full drama mode during the Inside the NBA halftime report.
“I have some bad news… the Hawk is dead,” he announced solemnly, cradling the toy in his arms like a soap opera character. “We’re going to miss you, Harry. He’s dead. The Hawk is dead.”
And then, in true Diesel fashion, he went even further — attempting to revive Harry the Hawk with a comedic round of mascot CPR. Mouth-to-beak resuscitation. Yes, it was as ridiculous as it sounds.
When the crew replayed the moment in slow motion, Shaq groaned while watching himself go all-in on the performance: “I tried, I tried. Harry, come back!”
But Charles Barkley wasn’t about to let his co-host off the hook that easily. Ever the king of well-timed jabs, Chuck fired back with the line of the night:
“You kissed some chickenheads in your day too, bro!”
Cue total chaos on set. Kenny Smith doubled over in laughter. Ernie Johnson called it the “funniest line all year.” The laughs just kept coming as Shaq sat there, momentarily defeated, searching for a comeback that never arrived.
“The big man had no comeback — he’s on the ropes,” Ernie added with a grin. “Referee stops contest!”
Fans watching at home were just as entertained. Social media exploded with love for the hilarious segment.
“The fellas bringing chaos and comedy — playoff season, here we go!”
“Chuck’s peaking just in time for the postseason. A generational run incoming.”
“Can’t beat it. This is the best show on TV.”
“One of Charles Barkley’s funniest jokes of all time. Shaq was stuck!”
While the vibes were light on set, the truth behind Shaq’s declaration turned out to be pretty accurate. Atlanta never recovered from that first-half deficit. Cole Anthony came off the bench for Orlando and dropped 26 points and six assists, leading the Magic to a dominant 120-95 win.
With that win, Orlando locked up the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed and will move on to face the top-seeded Boston Celtics in Round 1.
As for the Hawks? Their season isn’t technically over just yet, but they’re hanging by a thread. Star guard Trae Young got ejected late in the fourth after back-to-back techs, and now Atlanta will need to regroup fast for one final shot at the playoffs. They’ll face the winner of the Bulls-Heat play-in game on Friday night with the 8-seed on the line.
But if you ask Shaq, he’s already called it. Time of death: halftime.