Set to be quasi-colleagues at ESPN next season, Shaquille O’Neal had recently served notice to Smith and others at the network that the “Inside the NBA” crew was “taking over.”

Indiana did not play well on Thursday night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, yet it found a way to beat Oklahoma City. Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning shot with seconds remaining in regulation to silence Thunder fans inside the Paycom Center.

O’Neal invaded ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” set on Thursday minutes before Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder. Midway through the show, O’Neal made his way onto the set and was met with tons of laughter from hosts Stephen A. Smith, Malika Andrews, Bob Myers and Kendrick Perkins.