Shaquille O'Neal Rushes Off Set During Live Broadcast For This Hilarious Reason

The jokes are flowing online as easily as it seems Shaquille O'Neal's bathroom visit did after he sprinted off set in a rush during a live segment.

The big guy apparently couldn't wait for a commercial break, because when nature calls, it calls.

During a live segment of "Inside the NBA" on TNT, the 53-year-old NBA legend shocked his fellow cohosts as he got up from the desk during a conversation to rush to the bathroom. Of course, in true "Inside the NBA" fashion, the jokes started rolling in. And then fans online kept the humor going.

It was just another fun evening on the set of "Inside the NBA" on TNT for Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson, until O'Neal felt an emergency situation brewing.

A clip of the surprise experience was shared on social media by NBA on TNT. In the clip, O'Neal is seen sitting at the desk while taping live, and then subtly getting up and rushing off set. As he's trying to sneak off quietly, Smith asks, "You alright, big fella?" O'Neal responds as he's making his swift getaway, "Go ahead, keep talking."

He was quickly reminded, "Yeah, we're on TV," to which O'Neal said, "I know what we're doing, go ahead."

As O'Neal is rushing off set, Smith teased, "It's that olive oil you've been drinking," and Barkley jumps in to say, "Hey, take some matches with you."

After some collective laughs between the three remaining cohosts, Smith said, "Listen, he couldn't hold it. After 40, you can't hold it no more." Johnson then said with a giggle, "That was a first. That wasn't something planned, was it?"

Smith then shared that earlier off camera O'Neal was talking about "drinking olive oil to clean his gut."

"I did not like his gait as he left. That was not a typical walk right there," Johnson joked. Barkley explained that O'Neal read about drinking a shot of olive oil for two weeks. Johnson joked, "He's gonna miss a lot of airtime," and Smith added, "Please turn his mic off."

The jokes kept on flowing once the clip was shared on social media.

"I know the ‘oh sh-t’ shuffle when I see it," one viewer shared in the comment section. Another added, "Chuck asking 'you alright big fella' before all the laughing was very wholesome not gonna lie."

Charmin even got in on the laughs writing, "Explosive first step."

Many others also dropped into the comments to keep the jokes going strong, with many relating to O'Neal's choice to run off set while filming live.

"Don’t matter if you live or not. When them guts start bubbling it’s a wrap," one person shared. Another said, "It sucks getting old. I know your pain big fella. It hit me and I had to go into a gas station bathroom that was super nasty. But when nature calls."

Many fans took to the comments to share how much they love the show and how they'll miss it when it's no longer on the air.

"Gonna miss y’all… Best show on television," one person wrote. Another added, "NBA won’t be the same next year without this show!!"

And many others shared those sentiments.

"This is what makes this show great," one fan wrote. One other said, "Nothing will top 'Inside the NBA.'"

"Inside the NBA" is known for unexpected moments and lots of laughs, along with all the NBA news and updates basketball fans want.

There have been many memorable moments throughout the show's time on TNT. In December 2022, O'Neal found himself inside the Christmas tree after Smith pushed him during a race to the video board.

Just a month later, O'Neal lost a bet with Johnson and was forced to eat his words, along with a plate of frog legs.

There were so many other hilarious moments with many of them spilling over onto social media. And we're pretty sure O'Neal's rush to the restroom won't be the last hilarious and memorable moment.