The Oklahoma City Thunder won their first ever NBA championship on Sunday night, beating the Indiana Pacers, 103-91, at home in Game 7.
It was an emotional night for both teams and it was also likely one for the members of ESPN's studio show because next year Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and the rest of the Inside the NBA team will be joining the network and taking over coverage throughout the season and big events, including the Finals.
That didn't seem to be lost on ESPN's Malika Andrews, who was spent the past few years leading ESPN's NBA shows. At the end of Sunday night's broadcast she shared a classy message for the Inside the NBA guys, saying:
"With gratitude and admiration, we welcome Inside the NBA in next season. It has been an honor to be on this stage."
Malika Andrews on the ESPN on ABC Game 7 postgame: "With gratitude and admiration, we welcome 'Inside the NBA' in next season."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 23, 2025
Stephen A. Smith: "Yes, we do."🏀📺🎙️#NBA #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/7rcA0i927I
Stephen A. Smith agreed, saying, "Yes, we do."
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as ESPN Host Had Classy Line About ‘Inside the NBA' at End of Game 7 Broadcast.
