After nearly four decades, the iconic run of Inside the NBA on TNT came to a heartfelt close Saturday night — marking the end of an era that basketball fans will never forget.

Ernie Johnson, the long-time host, struggled to hold back emotion as he delivered his final words on the network that has been synonymous with NBA coverage for generations.

“I’m proud to say for the last time, ‘Thanks for watching us. It’s the NBA on TNT,’” Johnson said, before quietly turning away from the camera, setting down his microphone, and leaving the set one last time.

The End of TNT’s NBA Era

Next season, TNT will no longer broadcast NBA games. The league’s new 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal shifts NBA coverage to ESPN and ABC — where Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley will continue their legendary commentary, mostly from Atlanta.

The NBA Finals will now air on ABC, making the Eastern Conference Finals between Indiana and New York the final chapter of TNT’s broadcast legacy. Turner Sports first brought NBA games to viewers back in 1984, and TNT has been a staple since the network’s launch in 1988.

Shaquille O’Neal summed up the transition with his usual mix of humor and determination:
“Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same. And to that new network we’re coming to, we’re not coming to (expletive) around. … We’re taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys.”

A Tribute from the Court and the Crew

The moment wasn’t lost on Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, whose team had just clinched a spot in the NBA Finals by defeating the New York Knicks. After a brief interview with Johnson during the trophy ceremony, Carlisle took the mic for an unprompted tribute:

“Congratulations to TNT on a fabulous, unbelievable run that’s coming to an end. We’re all very sad about that.”

The broadcast honored a host of legendary figures who have contributed to TNT’s NBA legacy over the years, including Doug Collins, Hubie Brown, Dick Stockton, Cheryl Miller, Danny Ainge, John Thompson, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello, Marv Albert, Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Candace Parker, and the late, beloved Craig Sager.

Kevin Harlan, calling the final game’s play-by-play, spoke directly to the fans with heartfelt gratitude:

“Our hearts are full of gratitude — not sadness — for what has been. It has been an honor. It has been a privilege. And I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as we have.”

Alongside Harlan were Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy, and Allie LaForce, rounding out a broadcast crew that has become a trusted voice of NBA basketball.

Reflecting on his career, Miller shared a touching thought:
“Think about my life. I’m very fortunate. I’ve only known two things: 18 years with one franchise in this building with the Indiana Pacers, and 19 years with Turner.”

Behind the Scenes and Looking Forward

Johnson also praised the TNT production crew, many of whom are moving on to NBC and Amazon thanks to their outstanding work. “Best production crew in the business, I might add,” he said with pride.

And when it came time to say goodbye on air, the emotional weight was impossible to miss. Kenny Smith called it “a magnificent ride,” while Charles Barkley, reminiscing about how he almost started his broadcast career with NBC before joining TNT, expressed deep gratitude:

“I just want to say thank you to the NBA, every coach I’ve had, every player I’ve played with, for giving me this magnificent life. I am so lucky and blessed. And I want to thank TNT. Even though we’ll never say TNT Sports again, I want to thank TNT for giving me a magnificent life.”

As the curtain falls on TNT’s NBA coverage, one thing is clear: the voices, moments, and memories made on this network will live on in basketball history forever. The game moves on, but the legacy? That’s forever.

Source: AP News – And with that, an era ends: ‘Thanks for watching us. It’s the NBA on TNT’

The post Inside the NBA’s Final TNT Broadcast After Nearly 40 Years appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

It’s finally here! The highly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury for the unified heavyweight world title is about to unfold. The action takes place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and you can watch it live on TNT Sports Box Office from 16:00 UK time.

Will Tyson Fury claim revenge and take Usyk’s belts to reclaim his position at the top of the boxing world? This promises to be an epic encounter that boxing fans won’t want to miss!

Novytskyi vs Ramirez: Fight Recap

Round 7:
The fight is heating up, but time is running out for Ramirez. With three rounds to go, he likely needs a stoppage to win.

Round 6:
Ramirez is landing some heavy hooks, but it’s sparking a response from Novytskyi, who counters with precise straight shots.

Round 5:
Ramirez is getting in close, landing some punches. Novytskyi is a bit sluggish, and many of his jabs are getting blocked. Ramirez might have taken this round.

Round 4:
While still losing rounds, Ramirez is growing in confidence. He’s looking to land hooks at close range. Novytskyi responds with body shots, keeping Ramirez at bay.

Round 3:
Novytskyi is becoming a bit careless as his jab loses its sharpness. Ramirez has shown he’s ready to fight back, but whether he has the power to land a decisive blow remains to be seen.

Round 2:
Novytskyi looks very comfortable with the fight’s pace and distance. Ramirez is struggling to land anything significant, while the Ukrainian works his straight rights to the body.

Round 1:
Novytskyi controls the pace with his jab and lands a solid right hand halfway through the round, which Ramirez manages to take well.

The Full Fight Card

• Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2 (WBC, WBA, and WBO heavyweight titles)
• Moses Itauma vs Demsey McKean (heavyweight)
• Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis (super-welterweight)
• Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen (heavyweight)
• Isaac Lowe vs Lee McGregor (featherweight)
• Peter McGrail vs Rhys Edwards (super-bantamweight)
• Daniel Lapin vs Dylan Colin (light-heavyweight)
• Mohammad Alakel vs Joshua Ocampo (super-featherweight)
• Andrii Novytskyi vs Edgar Ramirez (heavyweight)

Promoter’s Prediction: Fury in 8 Rounds

Tyson Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, is confident his fighter will take care of business quickly. Speaking on TNT Sports, Warren predicted that the fight won’t go the distance: “I think Tyson will get the job done. I genuinely don’t think it will go the distance. I think Tyson will get the job done in eight rounds.”

Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable night of boxing!

Source

The post Usyk vs Fury 2: The Heavyweight Rematch You Can’t Miss appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.