Shaquille O'Neal broke a 25-year silence about his feud with the creator of the series "« Curb your enthusiasm » Larry David . Shaq spoke about this during the 4th game NBA Finals 2026 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 5. In that same game, the New York Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit to sensationally beat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106, with O.G. Anunoby's game-winning shot in the final seconds giving them the victory.
Shaquille O'Neal explains his 25-year feud with Larry David.
Shaquille O'Neal has finally revealed the backstory behind his 25-year feud with Larry David.
According to Entertainment Weekly, David was watching the Knicks' Game 4 game against the Spurs on Wednesday from the stands. When commentators pointed out his presence at Madison Square Garden, the former NBA player responded, "I don't like him. He set me up.".
O'Neal referenced the famous 2001 episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm where he trips over a comedian's feet at a Lakers game. His response sparked a mixed reaction from fans in a SportsCenter post on X (formerly Twitter).
«"I don't like him, he set me up.".
Shaq won't forgive Larry David? pic.twitter.com/wpu4Nwp26n
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 11, 2026.
«"Larry, I swear if you trip, Wamby," joked one X user. "I thought Shaq forgave Larry. I saw that episode, Larry didn't mean to do it," another mused. "Larry's calm smile while Shaq is on the ground is the height of comedy," the comment read.
For those who want to know more about the context, in the season 2 episode titled "Shaq", Larry David and Richard Lewis attend the Lakers' season-opening home game using tickets borrowed from a friend. Jeff Green , which is played by Jeff Garlin . David stretches his legs onto the court in the middle of a game, causing the NBA legend to trip and injure himself.
O'Neal was forced to leave the game, and the crowd turned on the Seinfeld star, loudly booing him while he insisted it was an accident. After that, everyone began avoiding David. However, in an interview after the incident, he admitted that he actually enjoyed it, as it allowed him to avoid all obligations.
Near the end of the episode, Larry David visits Shaq in the hospital with a stack of Seinfeld VHS tapes. They reconcile, and O'Neal receives the good news that he'll be back sooner than expected.