Playoff Hits: Shoves, Ejections, and a Halftime Funeral
The 2026 NBA Playoffs just reached a whole new level of chaos. While the scores were historic, the storylines coming off the court were even wilder. Here is everything you missed from a frantic Thursday night of playoff basketball.
1. The Shove: Jokic Loses His Cool
In Minneapolis, the frustration of a 4-2 series loss finally got to the MVP. During the third quarter of the Nuggets' elimination loss to the Timberwolves, Nikola Jokic and Naz Reid got into a heated exchange. Jokic was seen giving Reid a forceful shove near the baseline, resulting in a technical foul.
While Jokic finished with a near triple-double, the incident overshadowed his performance and served as the defining image of Denver's early exit.
2. Fight Night at the Garden
Madison Square Garden is known for its intensity, but things went too far in Game 6 between the Knicks and Hawks. Mitchell Robinson and Dyson Daniels were both ejected in the second quarter following a physical altercation during a free throw.
The scuffle involved players from both benches and led to offsetting Flagrant 2 fouls. With Robinson being a key piece of the Knicks' interior defense, New York fans are now holding their breath to see if a suspension is looming for the second round.
3. RIP Hawks: Shaq’s Halftime Funeral
Perhaps the most viral moment of the night didn't even happen on the court. During the Inside the NBA halftime show, with the Knicks leading the Hawks by 40 points, Shaquille O'Neal decided he had seen enough.
Shaq appeared on the set wearing a full black funeral veil and holding a red rose. "I'm here to pay my respects," Shaq told a laughing Charles Barkley. "The Atlanta Hawks are officially dead. We are holding the service right here in the studio."
The clip has already racked up millions of views, serving as the ultimate "participation trophy" for a Hawks team that was dismantled by 51 points.
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