Ernie Johnson missed his hosting duties for ‘Inside the NBA’ on Thursday night after his sister died of cancer.
The announcement was made on air on Thursday’s show, with his friends and analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith leading the condolences alongside stand-in host Adam Lefkoe.
‘Tonight we are going to pause for a moment to step away from basketball and we’re going to send our deepest condolences to a friend and mentor Ernie Johnson,’ Lefkoe said.
‘Yesterday, Ernie’s beloved sister Christine Johnson passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 72-year-old.
‘Ernie, we are thinking of you. We are praying for you and your wonderful family. It’s the reason I am here right now but Ernie is the family man.’
Barkley said: ‘He’s the family leader. We’re a team around here. I felt the same way when Kenny’s mom passed away, I felt the same way when Shaq’s sister passed away.
‘Ernie’s the leader of our family and our family leader is going through pain. Man, we love you, we miss you, and you stay at home and take care of your family.’
O’Neal added: ‘We definitely feel his pain. I definitely feel his pain.
‘We’re brothers. We feel the hurt. When I got the text, it made me shed a tear… we’re definitely hurting for you, Ernie. We love you. Take your time coming back. We miss you.’
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