ESPN commentator Doris Burke recalled an embarrassing encounter with former San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich involving Shaquille O'Neal during Wednesday night's broadcast of the Los Angeles Lakers' 127-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Burke shared how one of her earliest in-game interviews with Popovich went wrong after she questioned the Spurs' defense against O'Neal, who had dominated San Antonio following a difficult opening quarter.

“My first interview when we put interviews in to end a quarter, it's San Antonio and Shaq had a bad quarter. But then he comes out against San Antonio and he's like 6-for-6. And I say remarkably, unintelligently, I think my question was something like Pop, what was the problem with your defense?”

According to Burke, Popovich's reaction immediately made her regret asking the question.

“And I kid you not Pop just stared at me his face got very red. I don't remember what he said. I remember getting back to my position and the producer saying Doris, do you mind if we don't run that? And I said, thank you for not embarrassing me.”

Doris Burke with a funny Pop story:

"My first interview when we put interviews in to end a quarter, it's San Antonio and Shaq had a bad quarter. But then he comes out against San Antonio and he's like 6-for-6. And I say remarkably, unintelligently, I think my question was…

— Oh No He Didn't 🤯 (@ohnohedidnt24) October 22, 2026

Doris Burke's Shaq story highlights Gregg Popovich's fiery Spurs legacy

The exchange reflected Popovich's reputation for delivering blunt responses during sideline interviews throughout his coaching career.

Popovich spent 29 seasons leading San Antonio, winning five NBA championships and establishing himself as one of the most successful coaches in league history.

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His battles against O'Neal, particularly during the Lakers' championship runs in the early 2000s, helped define one of the Western Conference's most prominent rivalries.

Meanwhile, the Spurs have entered a new era under head coach Mitch Johnson following Popovich's departure from the sidelines.

San Antonio opened the 2026-27 regular season with a 116-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

The Spurs will attempt to secure their first victory of the season when they host the Houston Rockets (1-0) on Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video.