On a Monday edition of Undisputed on FS1, Keyshawn Johnson, an ardent Lakers supporter, caused a stir in the sports community with his ‘cheers’ in response to Jamal Murray’s injury update.
The Denver Nuggets point guard was questionable for the upcoming Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a calf strain sustained in the fourth quarter the previous Saturday.
Despite being aware of Murray’s strain, Johnson exclaimed, “Good,” and “Yay!,” which from all indications, expressed a sense of satisfaction from the potential advantage his preferred team, the Lakers, could have if Murray missed out on the critical game.
Breaking all presumptions, Jamal Murray didn’t sit out game 5 due to his injury. Instead, he showcased a phenomenal performance on the court. Murray’s performance was not just a game presence but a game-changing one for the Nuggets.
Murray didn’t let his calf-strain hold him back. Defying all odds, he contributed 12 fourth quarter points, which included nine in the dwindling last four minutes, secured a decisive win for the Nuggets.
In the face of Nuggets’ triumph, Keyshawn Johnson was left in an uncomfortable spot the following morning. Now, he had to navigate the situation brought about by his own comments on the popular sports-debate show.
Come Tuesday on Undisputed, Johnson found himself grappling with a humbling scenario. His controversial comments on Murray had backfired, and Johnson was tasked with clarifying his stand and sentiments.
Having to confront the words he made in light of Murray’s initial injury report, Johnson made an attempt to justify his polarizing take.
“You see why I didn’t want him yesterday?” Johnson asked Bayless and Paul Pierce at the start of Tuesday’s show. “When you all gave me the news of the potential injury and he was questionable. That’s why I didn’t want him to play.”
Keyshawn Johnson clarifies cheering for Jamal Murray’s injury: ‘That’s why I didn’t want him to play.’ https://t.co/UU6wenvD2p pic.twitter.com/IQ8Koy7tm3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 30, 2024
“Yesterday, you mentioned that he wouldn’t play potentially,” Johnson later continued. “And I said, ‘Good!’ Because I’m rooting for any opportunity to have my Lakers extend the series. I knew if he played it was going to be rough. You’re never going to root for an athlete, as a fan or even as a player, to be injured. But at the same time, if he gives us the edge because he’s hobbled…I’ll take that. I’ll take hobbled. But he wasn’t hobbled.”
Nonetheless, the game results did much to silence the sports analyst’s contentious remarks.
