Charles Barkley shuts down Kenny Smith for Jay-Z reference after rap mogul accused of rape

Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t help but walk away from the “Inside the NBA” desk on Tuesday night.

Kenny Smith made a reference to the rapper Jay-Z — who is accused of raping a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000 in a lawsuit filed on Dec. 8 — and Charles Barkley’s reaction created another viral moment on the TNT broadcast.

“You think Jay-Z or, or, or,” Smith said.

“Probably not a good time right now,” Barkley chimed in after tapping Smith’s arm.

“You’re all silly, man,” Smith said as he shook his head and smiled.

O’Neal, who appeared to be laughing, got up and stood behind a wall on the set.

“Go see if you can fix the wall, will you, Shaq?” Ernie Johnson said. “In fact, here, I’ll go with you.”

Kenny Smith had the “Inside the NBA” crew laughing when he made a Jay-Z reference on Tuesday night. X
Charles Barkley said it was “too soon” for Kenny Smith to make a Jay-Z reference during “Inside the NBA” on TNT on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. X

Johnson got up and joined O’Neal, who was standing with his back turned to the camera.

The TNT production crew was also heard laughing in the background.

Barkley added, “Too soon, Kenny.”

Jay-Z attends a premiere for the film ”Mufasa: The Lion King” in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 9, 2024. REUTERS

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has vehemently denied the allegations against him and fellow rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs that were stated in an amended civil complaint filed by a woman identified as Jane Doe.

Combs — who is is currently behind bars in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges — denied the allegations made by Doe.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs participates in “The Four” panel during the FOX Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in Pasadena on January 4, 2018. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Jay-Z, Beyonce and Blue Ivy Carter attend a premiere for the film ”Mufasa: The Lion King” in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 9, 2024. REUTERS

In the complaint, the plaintiff alleges Combs and Jay-Z, both now 55, raped her while an unnamed female celebrity watched during the party, which took place in a New York City residence.

The initial complaint, which was filed in October, did not reference Jay-Z by name.

Jay-Z called the allegations “idiotic” and “heinous in nature” in a statement released by Roc Nation, one of his companies, on Sunday.

You May Also Like

Why Are US Students at the Bottom Struggling So Much

I’ve written about this topic several times and the general conclusion…

Trump plans enormous military parade on his birthday

The Trump administration is in the early stages of planning for a…

Why Aussie baby boomers are the biggest losers of the $120billion stock market bloodbath – as millennials are handed a surprise lifeline

Australia’s retired baby boomers have the most to lose from the share…

Kimberly Guilfoyle's Itty Bitty Pink Dress Suggests She's Back In Her Party Era

Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images Kimberly…