Former NBA superstar big man Shaquille O’Neal was missing in action during Wednesday night’s edition of “NBA Tip-off” on ESPN.
Taking Shaq’s place for the moment is Golden State Warriors star power forward Draymond Green, who joins Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley in the studio amid Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second-round series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in the Big Apple.
It’s unclear why Shaq isn’t with his ESPN buddies on Wednesday, but Johnson said that the Basketball Hall of Famer “is on assignment.”
That prompted some online reactions from fans on social media.
@shaq on assignment pic.twitter.com/wSJztuovek
— Matt Sinatra 🤌 (@TheMattSinatra) May 7, 2026
Shaq on assignment @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/ZWqFP4FdeB
— ScHarry Movie 👻📼 (@scHarrystories) May 7, 2026
@ESPNNBA Shaq when the cameras find him on “assignment.” #insidethenba pic.twitter.com/pOFrmPXgFC
— Rashad Grove (@theGroveness) May 7, 2026
“Where the hell is Shaq? This is a full on bait and switch,” one fan said.
Another one said: “NBA tip off…. If your going to replace shaq, don’t bring on hater Dray.”
A different fan had this to say:
“How can we ruin NBA Tip Off?”
“Let’s replace Shaq with Draymond”
“Brilliant”@espn @ESPNNBA
@shaq on “assignment” @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/7RcBRC1AQ1
— Kevin (@KevinsNotHere94) May 7, 2026
Shaq is literally and figuratively a great personality on any show he’s part of.
That being said, his absence on Wednesday shouldn’t hurt the show much. Green seems like a capable placeholder for the former NBA Most Valuable Player. That’s not to mention the attention that Green can attract, especially amid his controversial verbal sparring with Austin Rivers. The former Defensive Player of the Year has even provided some great quotes on the night.
In any case, the game will always be the main draw, as the 76ers look to tie the series at 1-1 and avoid falling down a 2-0 series hole against the very dangerous Knicks side.
Former NBA superstar big man Shaquille O’Neal was missing in action during Wednesday night’s edition of “NBA Tip-off” on ESPN. Taking Shaq’s place for the moment is Golden State Warriors star power forward Draymond Green, who joins Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley in the studio amid Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second-round series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in the Big Apple.
