It did not take too long for a lighthearted in-game moment to turn into classic Shaquille O’Neal television. During Sunday’s Western Conference clash between Minnesota and Denver, a courtside joke unexpectedly made its way onto Shaq’s studio desk.
And the Hall of Famer, being himself, responded in the only way he could: bluntly, loudly, and without filters.
Shaquille O’Neal Responds After Donte DiVincenzo’s Free-Throw Jab
What started with a missed free throw quickly snowballed into a chapter of O’Neal’s ongoing commentary tour. This time around, Rudy Gobert got caught in this crossfire.
In the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo was mic’d up when he missed a free throw and joked to teammates, “I shoot free throws like Shaq.” The comment drew laughs on the bench, but it hit differently once ESPN’s Inside the NBA aired the clip during halftime.
The remark referenced O’Neal’s well-known struggles at the charity stripe, where the Hall of Famer shot 52.7% for his career and frequently faced intentional fouling in crunch time. So, he did not brush it aside.
“I wish I was playing, too. I’d flagrant his a** to the next game,” O’Neal said on the broadcast. Even years removed from the court, O’Neal remains protective of his legacy.
The four-time champion initially appeared ready to fire back directly at DiVincenzo. But moments later, he pivoted. “Actually, you know what, I like DiVincenzo,” O’Neal added. “I’mma take it out on soft a** Rudy Gobert.”
Shaq was NOT messing with Donte DiVincenzo saying “I shoot free throws like Shaq.” 😅
“I wish I was playing, too. I’d flagrant his ass to the next game.” 😭 pic.twitter.com/RcO2G6UcwA
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 1, 2026
The redirect wasn’t accidental. O’Neal has repeatedly criticized Gobert over the years, particularly regarding the French center’s massive contracts and perceived on-court dominance.
Ironically, Gobert delivered a strong defensive outing Sunday. He finished with 7 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and a block. Anthony Edwards paced Minnesota with 21 points, while DiVincenzo contributed 17, including three third-quarter 3-pointers in a 93-second span that helped the Timberwolves rebuild a double-digit lead.
Nikola Jokić kept Denver competitive with 35 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists, but the Nuggets could not overcome Minnesota’s fourth-quarter push. Naz Reid’s timely scoring and Edwards’ late contested three-pointer sealed the win as the Timberwolves moved into fourth place in the West.
Yet despite the game’s significance, the viral moment belonged to O’Neal. What began as a harmless free-throw quip evolved into another headline-grabbing Shaq soundbite — and, once again, Gobert found himself in the crosshairs.
Some rivalries don’t need a matchup to stay active. Sometimes, all it takes is a missed free throw and a live microphone.
