STEPHEN A. SMITH couldn’t resist checking in with his future colleagues during the NBA Finals.

The ESPN analyst, 57, gatecrashed the NBA Countdown set ahead of Thursday’s Game 1 in Oklahoma City.

Four men in suits sitting on chairs and talking on a basketball court, during an NBA game broadcast.
Stephen A. Smith gatecrashed Shaq (left) and Kenny Smith’s broadcast on ThursdayCredit: NBA

Three basketball commentators at a game.
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The trio are set to become colleagues when Shaq and Kenny join ESPNCredit: NBA
Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith were on the panel as Stephen A. unexpectedly entered the shot.

The trio are set to become teammates at ESPN from next season.

Inside the NBA is moving from TNT to the sports network.

But neither Shaq or Kenny were in the mood for pleasantries as the “enemy” gatecrashed their show.

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Smith was seen stroking Shaq’s head during the bizarre segment on Thursday night.

“Get your hands off me Stephen A. Smith!” the NBA legend fired back with a laugh.

“We ain’t teammates yet, get out of here,” Kenny joked.

“You are still the enemy right now.”

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“Yo bring me some hot chocolate so I can spill it on this man,” added Shaq.

Fans were quick to comment on the exchange, which occurred on NBA Countdown’s pre-game show.

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“He just had to make himself the center of attention. He had no reason to come to their show like that,” argued one fan on X.

“Hopefully they never have Clown A Smith on their show,” raged a second.

“Stephen A. Smith can’t help himself. He loves thinking he’s the main character.”

“SAS never fails to make me laugh,” countered a fourth.

First Take viewing figures

First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.

The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the most-watched year in program history.

Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.

The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.

First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.

Smith recently penned a $100million contract extension with ESPN.

The 57-year-old is a regular on First Take and recently expanded his horizons with a new SiriusXM radio show.

Shaq and Kenny are set to join ESPN from next season.