Basketball Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal said he doesn’t make fun of Lakers star Anthony Davis for walking out of Game 5 injured, but O’Neal added he “soaked it up” and in important ones games of his career survived injuries. Here’s what you need to know:
- O’Neal and co-analyst Charles Barkley were criticized for laughing on TNT’s postgame show while discussing Davis having to leave the Lakers’ Game 5 loss to Golden State with a head injury.
- Davis was elbowed in the face by Warriors center Kevon Looney in the fourth quarter and taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. Team sources told The Athletic he felt dizzy when he left the floor.
- To laugh, O’Neal said, “It doesn’t matter what we laughed about. I laugh at (Barkley), he laughs at me. I’m not going to get involved.”
What O’Neal said
Whether or not he was making fun of Davis’ injury, O’Neal said, “I don’t make fun of anyone, that’s not what I do. But I know you won’t stop me from playing Game 6.”
O’Neal, 51, added that an injury wouldn’t stop him from playing a final game in which the Lakers played Wednesday night and will face the Warriors again on Friday.
“See why I’m walking weird?” said O’Neal. “Because I messed it up. Do you see why my toes don’t bend? Because I messed it up.”
O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion and former MVP, retired in 2011 after a 19-year career with six teams including the Lakers.
backstory
O’Neal’s comments came Thursday at the opening of his Comebaq Court at the Henry County Shaquille O’Neal Boys and Girls Club, south of Atlanta.
Davis avoided concussion protocol and will likely play in Game 6, Lakers coach Darvin Ham said Thursday.
required reading
(Photo: Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)