Kenny’s New Cut Steals the Halftime Show
During halftime of Game 5 between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, last night, the “Inside the NBA” crew on TNT delivered its usual mix of basketball analysis and comedic banter. But it wasn’t Charles Barkley or Shaquille O’Neal who stole the show this time—it was Kenny Smith’s haircut.
The moment went viral when user @IsiahaSaid posted on X, “Kenny Smith went to the barber and asked for the ‘Doc Rivers,'” referencing the famously bald NBA coach. The NBA on TNT account quickly amplified the moment, posting a split-screen image of Kenny and Doc Rivers with the caption: “Kenny showing off his new cut 😂.”
The image and video clip sparked a flood of replies and memes, making Kenny’s new look the unexpected highlight of the night.
A Running Joke Gets a Fresh Fade
This isn’t the first time Kenny Smith’s hairline has been the butt of the joke on “Inside the NBA.” In 2023, Shaquille O’Neal claimed on his podcast that Kenny’s hairline was “tattooed in,” referencing scalp micropigmentation. In other words, that’s a cosmetic treatment to simulate the appearance of hair.
Kenny brushed off the jokes then. However, his latest haircut brought the conversation roaring back. Whether it’s a genuine cut, a fresh fade, or a subtle cosmetic enhancement, fans and co-hosts alike have long speculated about the origins of his ever-shifting hairline.
And this time, the cut bore a striking resemblance to none other than Doc Rivers—clean, close, and bald on top. Over the years, Doc has been on the receiving end of many hair jokes. Now, Kenny is claiming his place right beside him. With Shaq, he’s already said “no hairline is safe.” Not even his own.
Other hairlines clowned by Shaq include that of Stephen A. Smith. In addition, his own hairline has been clowned. As a result, Shaq lost a bet and let his hair grow to where his hairline truly starts. Now, he’s back delivering the hairline jokes. Kenny’s haircut has left him wide open.
Doc Rivers: The Bald Blueprint
Doc Rivers is no stranger to NBA fans. The current Milwaukee Bucks coach is known not only for his hoarse voice and playoff pedigree but also for his closely shaven scalp.
After last night, Rivers is under fire for the Bucks’ early exit from the NBA playoffs. They wound up losing to the Indiana Pacers in five games. This is their second straight first round loss to the Pacers. Both happened since Doc took over as coach. Despite a midseason coaching hire and big expectations, Rivers now holds an 0-2 record in the postseason with Milwaukee.
The timing of Kenny Smith’s “Doc Rivers” haircut couldn’t have been better. Not only did it draw visual comparisons, but it also doubled as a sly jab at a coach whose teams seem to come up short more often than not. That context wasn’t lost on fans who ran with the joke.
X Has Thoughts: Fan Reactions & Memes
The reaction on X (formerly Twitter) was instant and relentless. Here’s a snapshot of the top replies:
- @Carpo_31: “Ernie – I’ve been doing the Ginobili for years 😂” (referencing former Spurs guard Manu Ginobili’s infamous receding hairline)
- @Paradox_EP: “Asked for the up 3-0 😭” (a shot at Doc Rivers’ playoff collapse history)
- @Gutek_z_poligon: “Enjoy the best ‘Doc Rivers’ impression on earth!” (paired with a viral image of spray-on hair)
- @cr7VSmessi10_: “That boy need some spray paint😭”
- @Thefunkedrumma: “That’s that micro tatt job he’s had for awhile.”
- @SATexoma16u: “Kenny ‘hair’ is tattooed. Prove me wrong.”
- @Buddyboybets: “Fresssshhhhh cut 🙌🏾”
It’s clear that for many fans, Kenny Smith’s hairline has transcended personal style—it’s become part of pop culture.
Why “Inside the NBA” Moments Go Viral
The genius of “Inside the NBA” lies in its ability to blend elite-level basketball commentary with barbershop humor and genuine chemistry. The crew—Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal—has developed a rhythm that lets moments like this flourish.
Fans tune in for game updates, sure, but they stay for the viral soundbites, spontaneous roast sessions, and unfiltered reactions. TNT’s willingness to lean into these moments on social media only fuels the fire.
Kenny Smith’s haircut joke is just the latest in a long line of meme-worthy content, following in the footsteps of “Shaqtin’ a Fool” clips, Barkley’s wild takes, and the crew’s on-set antics.
Game Context: Rockets Stay Alive in Game 5
While Kenny’s haircut stole the halftime headlines, the actual game had stakes. The Houston Rockets came into Game 5 trailing 3-1 in the series to the Golden State Warriors. By halftime, Houston held a commanding 76-49 lead.
They never looked back, ultimately defeating the Warriors 131-115. The series now heads back to San Francisco for Game 6, with the Warriors still holding a 3-2 advantage. Whether the Rockets can force a Game 7 remains to be seen, but for at least one night, Houston was in full control.
Next, the crew will be analyzing what takes place on Game 6. However, for now, they will continue clowning Kenny over his haircut.
Final Thoughts
Kenny Smith getting clowned for his haircut while breaking down playoff hoops is peak “Inside the NBA.” It’s the kind of lighthearted moment that makes the show feel more like a family dinner than a studio broadcast.
And that’s the magic. In between dunks, game-winning threes, and controversial calls, there’s always time for jokes—especially when they come at the expense of a perfectly lined-up hairline. Whether or not Kenny actually asked for the “Doc Rivers,” the internet decided he did. And that’s all it takes for a clip to go viral.
Also, on a lighter note, if things continue how they appear to be, Doc will be hosting “Inside the NBA” right beside Kenny. However, there have been no reports on the Milwaukee Bucks making any personnel changes. As a result, the main headlines Doc makes is because of the “Inside the NBA” crew making fun of Kenny. With that, Doc happened to catch a stray. Bad enough he already had the playoff loss.
