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#pounditMonday, November 4, 2024

TNT had the worst timing with ad read during Lakers-Timberwolves game

The 'NBA on TNT' logo

Jan 31, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; A general view of a NBA on TNT logo on the broadcast table before the game between the New Orleans Pelicans against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

TNT chose the wrong time to air a car advertisement Tuesday during the NBA season opener between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves trailed the Lakers 18-12 late in the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif. With 3:03 left in the quarter, T-Wolves center Rudy Gobert drew a shooting foul on Max Christie to earn himself two free throws.

As Gobert shot his first free throw, TNT announcers Ian Eagle and Stan Van Gundy began commemorating the late Dikembe Mutombo. But before Van Gundy could finish his kind words about Mutombo, Eagle interrupted him to read an ad about the latest Kia SUV model.

Van Gundy: “Of course, the NBA world just had a tough loss with Dikembe Mutombo’s passing.”

Eagle: “NBA on TNT brought to you by the Kia Telluride X-line. Kia, the official automotive partner of the NBA. Yeah, that was terrible news in regards to Dikembe, who has been such an ambassador of the game in addition to his Hall of Fame career.”

Several fans online were understandably not happy with what they had just heard on live TV.

TNT did not win over many fans on opening night.

The broadcasting giant also caught a lot of heat during Tuesday’s first game between the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. TNT inexplicably cut to commercial just as the Celtics’ 18th championship banner was being raised into the rafters.

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