Charles Barkley is promising to take a pretty bold step if the Oklahoma City Thunder win the NBA title.
Appearing on NBATV’s postgame coverage prior to the Thunder’s Game 4 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, Barkley was notified of an Oklahoma City tattoo artist who pledged to give away 500 free tattoos if the Thunder won a championship. Host Jared Greenberg asked if Barkley would take the artist up on the offer, and Barkley had a surprising answer.
“I’ll tell you what, I will do that,” Barkley said. “I’ve never had a tattoo before, but I’m honestly going to do it this summer. I’m going to get my grandson and granddaughter’s name … I never thought anything was important enough. Some of these fools be getting women’s names put on them and they break up with them like damn idiots.”
Barkley did make clear, however, that he would absolutely not be getting a Thunder-themed tattoo.
“You have to get a Thunder tattoo? No, I’m not doing that,” Barkley said. “I’m going to go to Oklahoma City and get Charlie and Henry put on my forearm. OKC, here I come.”
Chuck: "I've never had a tattoo… I'm honestly gonna do it this summer. I'm gonna get my grandson & granddaughter's name… these fools be getting women names put on 'em & they break up with 'em like damn idiots."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 14, 2025
Candace: "What about your daughter?"
Chuck: "No, no, no." pic.twitter.com/0mM2KyForm
It is not exactly in line with the promotion, but Barkley can certainly afford a tattoo. Plus, it would be excellent PR for Oklahoma City, especially since Barkley has not always been completely full of praise for the Thunder.
Barkley made the promise before Game 4, where the Pacers had a chance to go up 3-1 in the series. Instead, they let a late lead slip away to allow the Thunder back into the series, and Barkley’s promise got a little bit more real.
