Shaquille O’Neal received unfortunate news while teasing rockets-grizzlies tnt games

On February 1, 2025By Littum

When Cleveland Cavaliers’ Blowout -Se win over Atlanta Hawks ended up on TNT Thursday night it was time for Inside the NBA To look forward to Houston Rockets-Memphis Grizzlies in Nightcap. Shaquille O’Neal shared what he was most excited to see when two of the top three teams in the Western Conference squared.

“I look forward to the YES MORANT-DJALE Green Matchup,” he said.

It then became Ernie Johnson’s solemn duty to inform O’Neal that Morant would not play in the game due to injury.

“I look forward to the yes morant-joke Green Matchup.” -Shaq, prior to the TNT broadcast of Rockets-Grizzlies

“Well, yes morant is out tonight.” – Ernie Johnson

“Okay, so yeah morant is out. So forget it …” – Shaq #Nba pic.twitter.com/luyoqdb23g

– horrible advertising (@Awfulannouncing) 31 January 2025

As a professional, O’Neal turned quickly and told the audience at home to forget what he had just said.

Morant has struggled to get into the field this season after missing out on 20 games due to injury. But in O’Neal’s defense, Star Guard had played in Grizzlies’ last two matches and was excluded only by the game about three hours before the analyst made his comments.

Status Update:

Yes Morant (RT Shoulder Soreness) is questionable for tonight’s match against Rockets. https://t.co/omzlnn9cc7

– Grizzlies PR (@Grizzliespr) January 30, 2025

Even without morant, Memphis was able to squeak off Houston with a 120-119 victory.