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 Thursday, 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 take a moment to step away from basketball and express our deepest condolences to 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 years old.
‘Ernie, we are thinking of you. We pray for you and your wonderful family. That’s the reason I’m here now, but Ernie is the family man.”
Barkley said, “He’s the leader of the family. We are a team here. I felt the same way when Kenny’s mom died, I felt the same way when Shaq’s sister died.
“Ernie is the leader of our family and our family leader is in pain. Man, we love you, we miss you, and you stay home and take care of your family.”
O’Neal added: “We certainly feel his pain. I certainly feel his pain.
‘We are brothers. We feel the pain. When I got the text I shed a tear…we sure are hurting for you, Ernie. We love you. Take the time to come back. We miss you.’
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