The NBA Draft is the biggest day in the life of 60 players who will hear their name called, and the 2026 edition is no different.
This time, however, ESPN’s coverage of the event didn’t seem up to par with their usual standards. That was made obvious after a mistake involving Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.
The NBA World Rips ESPN After Their Mistake Involving Dirk Nowitzki
Washington’s Hannes Steinbach, a native of Germany, was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 14th overall pick.
While the 20-year-old native of Würzburg, Germany, was being interviewed by ESPN, the camera cut to the most famous German player ever, former Maverick Dirk Nowitzki. However, as Nowitzki began to talk, it was clear that his audio wasn’t working, and no one could hear him.
It was not only an embarrassing look, but a missed opportunity to hear what Nowitzki had to say to Steinbach during his big moment.
Zero Chill Sports also had video of the incident, calling it a glitch. “The Broadcast GLITCHED and nobody could hear what NBA LEGEND Dirk Nowitzki said to Hannes Steinbach,” they wrote.
The Broadcast GLITCHED and nobody could hear what NBA LEGEND Dirk Nowitzki said to Hannes Steinbach#NBA #NBADraft #Hornets #ProtectTheHive #HiveMentality pic.twitter.com/Z0OnsiuZ9k
— Dom (@ZeroChillSports) June 24, 2026
“No audio for the Dirk message??” asked Barstool’s Steven Cheah.
No audio for the Dirk message?? pic.twitter.com/CXIhj8aerm
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) June 24, 2026
“Hey ESPN, we can’t hear Dirk Nowitzki!” exclaimed Undaunted.
Kirk Henderson of Mavs Moneyball did not like how they treated the Dallas legend. “ESPN with the worst production quality,” Henderson said. “Dirk on mute, this is hilariously painful.”
ESPN with the worst production quality. Dirk on mute, this is hilariously painful.
— Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) June 24, 2026
Others saw the humor in the situation.
“We now have a message from Dirk, who forgot to unmute his mic!” said Harrison Faigen.
“Well said, Dirk,” joked Barstool Big Cat. Jason Scheer of Wildcat Authority was not a fan of the coverage.
“By the way, this ESPN coverage is horrific,” Scheer wrote.
By the way, this ESPN coverage is horrific.
— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) June 24, 2026
Even though we were not able to hear Nowitzki’s message in the moment, Steinbach was, so it obviously didn’t hurt his night.
Marc Stein of the Stein Line posted the complete video: “Since there apparently were some audio issues when this aired live … allow me to pass on Dirk Nowitzki’s congratulatory video to the newest Charlotte Hornet Hannes Steinbach … son of Dirk’s former DJK Würzburg X-Rays teammate Burkhard Steinbach.”
Since there apparently were some audio issues when this aired live … allow me to pass on Dirk Nowitzki’s congratulatory video to the newest Charlotte Hornet Hannes Steinbach … son of Dirk’s former DJK Würzburg X-Rays teammate Burkhard Steinbach: pic.twitter.com/14XZtYGlUM
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 24, 2026
That’s a really cool and memorable moment for Steinbach.
He joins a growing list of Germans in the NBA, including Franz and Moritz Wagner of the Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard Dennis Schröder, Oklahoma City Thunder big man Isaiah Hartenstein, and Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Maxi Kleber.
Steinbach, who averaged 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 57.7% from the field last season, is no slouch himself, but he does suddenly have a lot to live up to.
