Shaq hoists Stanley Cup, which makes appearance on 'The NBA on TNT'

The Stanley Cup Playoffs will make their debut on TNT and TBS on Thursday, but the Stanley Cup itself couldn't wait.

The Cup made a special appearance Wednesday on "The NBA on TNT," getting an assist from Rick Tocchet, a 1992 Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins who is now a studio host for TNT's NHL coverage. Tocchet also won the Cup twice as an assistant with Pittsburgh (2016, 2017).
Former NBA stars Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith, along with host Ernie Johnson, took turns hoisting the Cup. O'Neal, who won four NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, at first had a hard time lifting the Cup over his head, claiming his shoulders hurt "from carrying the Lakers."
Charles Barkley, unquestionably the biggest hockey fan on the TNT NBA crew, refused to touch the Cup out of respect. The Hall of Famer played 16 seasons in the NBA but never won a title.

TNT and TBS will broadcast four Stanley Cup Playoffs games on Thursday, starting with the Pittsburgh Penguins playing New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round at 7 p.m. ET on TNT. The Washington Capitals visit the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of their East series at 7:30 p.m. on TBS.
The doubleheader for each network continues with the Nashville Predators playing at the Colorado Avalanche at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT and the Dallas Stars playing at the Calgary Flames at 10 p.m. ET on TBS.