Shaq Abruptly Leaves ‘Inside the NBA’ Set to Use Bathroom: 'Sorry About That, America'

The four-time NBA champion's bathroom break caused his 'Inside the NBA' co-hosts to make several jokes at his expense.

April 22, 2025

Shaquille O'Neal, smiling, wearing a black shirt and large chain necklace, stands in front of a "Shaq's Fun House" backdrop.

(Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images)

Shaquille O'Neal gave the people yet another comedic gem on Inside The NBA when he abruptly left the set to use the bathroom.

On Monday night, Ernie Johnson, Kenny "The Jet" Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaq were discussing the Los Angeles Clippers' win against the Denver Nuggets, when the Big Diesel decided to take a bathroom break while on air. The Inside the NBA crew was going over the game when, out of nowhere, the four-time NBA champion left his seat and walked off camera.

"You all right, big fella," Barkley asked his co-host, who eventually revealed he had to use the bathroom causing the crew to roar in laughter.

"It's that olive oil you've been drinking," added Smith. "Hey, listen. He couldn't hold it. After 40, you can't hold it no more, Ernie."

The jokes continued to fly before Smith reeled everyone back to discuss the Clippers' huge Game 2 win. Shaq even joined the crew once he was done tending to his business in the bathroom and told viewers and his co-hosts that he had to urinate and not poop.

“That was my number one, drinking that water,” O’Neal shared said before apologizing. “Sorry about that, America.”

Shaq has given us a slew of hilarious moments during his time on the Inside the NBA set, like when he showed off a new portable 8K-resolution TV. During the broadcast, Shaq pulled out a white briefcase and opened it to show the TV on its own stand.

"I got Netflix, I got (Amazon) Prime, I got Disney," said Shaq. "And, it's in 8K."