Latest news with #NBACountdown
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shaquille O'Neal hilariously crashes NBA Countdown set before Game 1
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal stands on the sidelines before a game between the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images The post Shaquille O'Neal hilariously crashes NBA Countdown set before Game 1 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Shaquille O'Neal stole the spotlight before Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals with a surprise appearance on ESPN's NBA Countdown set, adding his signature humor ahead of the highly anticipated matchup between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Advertisement The unexpected moment comes just months before the full Inside the NBA ESPN move, where the big man and co-hosts Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith will join ESPN after decades on TNT. O'Neal's brief walk-on during NBA Countdown gave fans a preview of what's coming—a blend of unscripted comedy, chemistry, and unmatched charisma. As he entered the studio, O'Neal towered over analysts Stephen A. Smith, Malika Andrews, and Bob Myers. He leaned over desks, playfully jabbed at panelists, and even mocked a wrestling move on Kendrick Perkins. At one point, he turned to the camera with theatrical flair before signing off, leaving the entire panel—and the internet—buzzing. When posted, the video quickly went viral across social media. Fans praised the big man's timing and personality, saying it reminded them why Inside the NBA has been such a beloved show. This wasn't just a comedy bit—it was a teaser for how ESPN plans to inject new life into its studio programming. Advertisement The scene also followed a fiery sendoff during TNT's final Inside the NBA show, which aired after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals—the show's last scheduled broadcast before the network transition. During the segment, O'Neal addressed the audience with a message of defiance and unity. 'The show is still here, baby. You can never kill the four horsemen.' The energy O'Neal brought to ESPN's set is exactly what fans can expect when the Inside crew makes its official debut next season. The move marks the end of an era, as TNT's relationship with the NBA dates back to 1989. Over the decades, the show became not just a show, but a cultural touchstone. Its relocation to ESPN reflects a massive shift in the league's media landscape—and expectations for what studio shows can be. Advertisement Related: Patrick Mahomes' reaction to Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton's Game 1 dagger Related: Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton's dad steals the show with moment after son's big shot
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Shaq bombards ESPN's ‘NBA Countdown' set before NBA Finals Game 1
It looks like Shaquille O'Neal is wasting no time making himself comfortable at his soon-to-be new network. O'Neal invaded ESPN's 'NBA Countdown' set on Thursday minutes before Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder. Midway through the show, O'Neal made his way onto the set and was met with tons of laughter from hosts Stephen A. Smith, Malika Andrews, Bob Myers and Kendrick Perkins. Advertisement 5 Shaq joined the ESPN set before NBA Finals Game 1. 5 Shaq joined the ESPN set before NBA Finals Game 1. Advertisement O'Neal, who was carrying an ESPN microphone, told Smith to 'hold the mic' while he went over and started to mess with Perkins. 'Hold this,' O'Neal said. 'Because I'm tired of Kendrick Perkins.' 'Is this HR, man?' Perkins said while O'Neal went over and gave him some playful shots during an aggressive hug. 5 Shaquille O'Neal walks on the court before Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunders on June 5, 2025 in Oklahoma City. AP Advertisement O'Neal's surprise appearance came shortly after Smith infiltrated his segment on NBA TV ahead of Game 1, walking onto the courtside set and caressing the four-time NBA champion's head. 'Get your hands off of me, Stephen A. Smith,' O'Neal said through laughter. This exchange marks O'Neal's first appearance on ESPN following 'Inside the NBA's' end on TNT. 5 Stephen A. Smith reports from the sideline during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals on May 26, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis. NBAE via Getty Images Advertisement Turner is set to still produce the show while licensing the rights to ESPN. 'Inside the NBA' on TNT officially ended at the end the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday after a 25-year run on the network, with emotions flying high during the crew's final remarks on the last show. 'It's been a great run, been an honor, Chuck [Charles Barkley], love you like a brother I will still whoop your ass,' O'Neal said. 'I'm glad we're sticking together. Even if the network changes, the name stays the same.' 5 Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, Jalen Rose, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley talk before the Knicks' season-ending Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. NBAE via Getty Images 'To [ESPN] we are not f–king around,' O'Neal closed with, which was met with widespread applause from the Indiana crowd. Ahead of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, O'Neal remained hopeful on the network shift, but stated that he, nor any of the other hosts, plan to change their show. 'And whatever network we're coming to, we're bringing the pain. Just letting you know right now. OK, I know everybody's sad that, 'Oh, it ain't gonna be the show.' The show is still here, baby. You can never kill the four horsemen. We coming, and we coming to take spots. We coming to kick ass and we coming to take names. And we doing it our way. 'You know, all the sadness about that show. We coming with a whole brand new show, and we don't care who in our way. We coming to kick ass and take names. The name changes but the boys are here. We them boys.'
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Sport
- Business Insider
Where to watch NBA Finals: Live stream Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1
The 2025 NBA Finals have finally arrived, and the Thunder and Pacers will square off in the best-of-seven series. We've compiled everything you need to know about where to watch the NBA Finals, including live streaming options. It's been a thrilling and often surprising month-and-a-half since the 2025 Playoffs tipped off, but it's all been leading up to the NBA Finals. No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder will face off with the No. 4 seed, the Indiana Pacers. Neither team has won a championship title under their current names, although the Thunder was originally known as the Seattle SuperSonics, and the franchise won a chip in 1979. The Thunder more or less sailed through the the first few stages, with the exception of the Conference Semifinals, which went all the way to Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets. It took six games for the Pacers to defeat the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, but they otherwise breezed through the Playoffs. This series won't be available on ESPN Plus, so the cheapest way to live stream the NBA Finals without a free trial will be through Sling TV. Below, we'll break down everything you need to know about that service and recommend other streaming options with free trials. What channel are the NBA Finals on? All NBA Finals games will air on ABC in the US. Game 1 is scheduled to tip off on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, although NBA Countdown coverage will begin at 8. Where to watch NBA Finals in the US As we mentioned above, the absolute cheapest way for US cord-cutters to live stream the NBA Finals without a free trial is through Sling TV, since ESPN Plus won't be carrying the series. Sling costs $46/month, but new customers can get 50% off their first month of service. That means you can watch every game of the NBA Finals (even if the series makes it to Game 7) for $23. Sling is a month-to-month cable alternative, which means that you can cancel at any time. You'll want to sign up for Sling's Orange plan, which carries ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, and 30 other popular live channels. ESPN3 live streams ABC on NBA games, so you'll be able to watch the Finals here. This is how I personally watched the Game 5 Championship win in 2024, and I've double-checked the Sling TV guide this year to confirm that Game 1 will live stream on ESPN3 tonight. While Sling doesn't have a free trial for new customers, other live TV streaming services that offer a free trial have significantly higher monthly fees, but they also come with even more channel options. Two of the best live TV streaming services that we've tried ourselves are DirecTV and Fubo. DirecTV 's signature Entertainment plan costs $85/month, offers access to 90+ channels, and comes with a five-day free trial for new customers. Fubo 's Pro plan starts at $85/month, comes with at least 150 live channels, and offers a seven-day free trial for new users. Plus, new Fubo users can get $20 knocked off their first month of service. How to watch NBA Finals from anywhere NBA fans traveling outside the US can still keep up with their usual viewing methods with the help of a VPN, or virtual private network. VPNs are easy-to-use cybersecurity tools that enable people to change the virtual location of their devices. This way, they don't need to miss out on any games just because they're away from home. VPNs are popular ways to improve online security and privacy. The services we've highlighted today require US payment methods, so this option will work best for Americans who are just abroad at the moment. ExpressVPN consistently ranks among the best VPNs on the market. It's a top-rated, user-friendly option with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can learn more about the app and its extensive cybersecurity features in our ExpressVPN review. Use a VPN to watch these events & shows free: All the items below have a free streaming option that can be unlocked from anywhere with a VPN. Set it to the corresponding country, and you're all set. French Open - various MotoGP - various Love Island - various The Traitors - various Walking Dead: Dead City - New Zealand Poker Face - New Zealand Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
Business Insider
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Insider
How to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder: Live stream the 2025 Western Conference Finals
The 2025 NBA conference finals tip off tonight, starting in the West. We've compiled everything you need to know about how to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder, including live streaming options for those without cable. After a surprising turn at the Western Conference semifinals, the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves have advanced to the Conference Finals, where they'll square off with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. The Wolves made quick work of their first and second-round California-based opponents, eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors 4-1 in each series. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who led the league during the 2024-2025 regular season, swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. However, they faced quite a battle in the conference semifinals, which sent them all the way to Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets. Whether you're rooting for Minnesota or Oklahoma City, we've got you covered. Below, you can find some of the top streaming services that will allow you to watch the conference finals, including the cheapest option in the US. What channel is the Timberwolves vs. Thunder game on? Game 1 of the Timberwolves vs. Thunder match-up will air on ESPN in the US. Most of the series, including the contingent games, will be broadcast on ESPN, but Game 3 will air on ABC. Game 1 is scheduled to tip off on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET. NBA Countdown coverage begins on the network at 7:30. How to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder in the US You won't be able to watch this series on ESPN Plus, so if you're a cord-cutter, you'll need to sign up for a live TV streaming channel package. Three of our favorite services are Sling TV, DirecTV, and Fubo. We've tried these out ourselves and found them to be top-notch sports streaming options. Plus, they're month-to-month, which means that you can cancel at any time. Sling TV is the absolute cheapest way to live stream the ESPN network in the US right now. You'll need to make sure you sign up for Sling's Orange plan to ensure you can access ESPN, in addition to 34 other popular live channels. We like this option because it also comes with TNT, which carries the Eastern Conference Finals, and ESPN3, which typically simulcasts NBA on ABC games. Subscriptions start at $46/month, but new users can get 50% off their first month of service right now. DirecTV is another popular way to live stream ESPN. The MySports genre pack carries ESPN, TNT, and around 25 other key sports networks. Plans also throw in access to ESPN Plus, a bonus for sports fans who don't already have an account. Subscriptions cost $70/month, but new users can try the service out for free for five days. Fubo 's Pro plan offers ESPN and 150+ other popular channels in its lineup. Subscriptions cost $85/month, making it one of the more expensive options today, but new users can get $20 off their first month of service after a seven-day free trial. How to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder from anywhere NBA fans traveling away from home can keep up with their usual streaming methods from anywhere with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are cybersecurity tools that enable you to alter your device's virtual location. This way, you can access your usual websites and apps around the globe without interruption. This option will work best for Americans who are simply traveling abroad since the services we've highlighted require US forms of payment. Of all the best VPNs on the market, ExpressVPN consistently ranks highest. It's an easy-to-use option with an impressive number of global servers and security-enhancing perks, which you can read about in our ExpressVPN review. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Use a VPN to watch these events & shows free All the items below have a free streaming option that can be unlocked from anywhere with a VPN. Set it to the corresponding country, and you're all set. French Open (France, from May 25) Formula 1 (various) MotoGP (various) Giro d'Italia (various) MotoGP (various) Love Island (various) Walking Dead: Dead City (New Zealand) Poker Face (New Zealand) The Handmaid's Tale (Australia) How to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder with a VPN Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one. Install it on the device you're using to watch. Turn it on and set it to a US location. Sign up for one of the above services if you don't already have an account. Enjoy the game. Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Thunder and Timberwolves announcers: Who is calling the Western Conference Finals on ESPN?
Thunder and Timberwolves announcers: Who is calling the Western Conference Finals on ESPN? The Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves have advanced to the Western Conference Finals. The series will broadcast on ESPN. This is an exciting battle between two of the brightest young stars in the game, Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Minnesota's Anthony Edwards. ESPN's lead NBA broadcast team will handle the coverage. Mike Breen is the lead play-by-play announcer with Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson as analysts. NBA reporter Lisa Salters will provide sideline commentary during the series as well. Jefferson will replace JJ Redick, who was on ESPN's coverage of the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Redick just completed his first year as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, but otherwise, it is the same folks from 2024. The Western Conference Finals begin on Tuesday, May 20, at 8:30 p.m. ET. This group will also broadcast the 2025 NBA Finals once the conference finals conclude. NBA Countdown on ESPN will have on-air broadcasts during the series as well. This show is hosted by Malika Andrews and will feature Stephen A. Smith, Bob Myers, Kendrick Perkins, and Shams Charania.
