FANS seem to have worked out why Shaquille O’Neal was mysteriously absent from Inside the NBA on Sunday night.

It was a massive night in the NBA, but Shaq was absent for the crucial Game 7 matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Shaq was absent from television screens on Sunday
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Shaq was absent from television screens on SundayCredit: Getty

Shaq was at the game between Iowa State Cyclones and Houston Cougars last week
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Shaq was at the game between Iowa State Cyclones and Houston Cougars last weekCredit: Getty
Instead, NBA legend Vince Carter took his place at the desk alongside Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson, and Charles Barkley.

Posting on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, Shaq said, ‘hey charles kenny ernie and vince jenna says hi.’

It could well be that Shaq’s remark references a joke that Barkley played on the crew last year.

After the 76ers legend exclaimed “Jenna” during a segment on air, Shaq asked, “Jenna Who?”

In turn, Barkley replied, “Jenna Tahls”, sending the rest of his co-hosts to experience fits of laughter. It’s possible he was spelling out an anagram.

Some fans meanwhile suggested that Shaq was at his daughter’s graduation.

Shaq’s daughter Me’arah referenced the big day on her Instagram feed.

The 6-foot-4 star is forging her own path in basketball, deciding this year to play for the Florida Gators rather than her dad’s alma mater LSU.

The future of TNT’s Inside the NBA has been thrown into doubt lately.

NBC is reportedly bidding for rights to show NBA games.

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Meanwhile, Shaq recently revealed he already had his retirement plans in place.

He talked about the future when talking to YouTube sensation Funny Marco on The Big Podcast.

“When I do turn 60, I’m checking in the old folks’ home,” Shaq said.

“It’s a place in Orlando called The Villages and they have the highest rate of STDs in the country. I’ll be there.”

Inside the NBA’s future?

Inside the NBA’s run on TNT Sports is in doubt due to the NBA’s broadcasting deals.

The Emmy-winning sports show is a fan favorite thanks to the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley.

But TNT’s broadcast deal with the NBA is up after next season and NBC is lining up a bid to take those rights.

If TNT loses its NBA package, it raises questions over the popular Inside the NBA.

One solution could be to recreate the show on another network, which snaps up the NBA rights.

Basketball legend Shaq, 52, was with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2004.

During that time, he helped the Lakers to three NBA titles.

He was also named to seven All-Star teams in that eight-year run, establishing himself as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

O’Neal went one to win a fourth championship with the Miami Heat.

He was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Since his playing days ended, he’s established himself as a huge media personality.