Shaquille O’Neal destroys ‘Inside the NBA’ set after crashing through a wall in bizarre Christmas Day chase
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal stunned viewers on Christmas Day after crashing through a studio wall during a live broadcast.
The Hall of Fame center took part in the dramatic stunt during halftime of the opening matchup between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 7-foot-1 former center was involved in a heated pursuit across the set after co-host Kenny Smith stole his hat during the broadcast.
As O’Neal gave chase, he charged up a set of stairs and barreled directly into a massive video board – leaving Shaq-sized hole in the middle of the set.
Studio lights flickered as the Hall of Famer disappeared through the surface of the massive screen that sat behind the broadcast team.
‘Shaq just ran through a wall,’ ESPN confirmed on social media, posting footage of the wreckage.
Shaquille O’Neal stunned viewers on Christmas Day after crashing through a studio wall
After chasing co-host Kenny Smith, the former Lakers star smashed through the studio set
The NBA Hall of Famer eventually emerged again through the hole he had created
The program’s stars, including Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson, were seen laughing as the Los Angeles Lakers legend took the fall.
However, host Johnson was quick to clarify that the event was a planned production.
Johnson reassured the audience that a mattress had been placed behind the wall to prevent injury to the four-time NBA champion.
This is not the first time that O’Neal has taken a big hit while on the ‘Inside the NBA’ set during the festive period.
He famously went viral in previous years after being shoved into a large Christmas tree during a similar halftime race with Smith.
During that incident, Smith gave the 325-pound star a nudge that sent him sliding directly into the studio’s holiday decorations.
O’Neal, known for his love of physical comedy, jokingly declared ‘this means war’ after emerging from the pine needles.
The 53-year-old icon has remained a staple of sports broadcasting since his retirement, known for his larger-than-life persona and frequent on-air antics.
