All-Star Weekend is built on spectacle, but sometimes the most talked-about moments come far from the main stage. During the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game, attention quickly shifted from highlights to one surprising stat line and one hilarious post that followed.
The moment became part of the broader All-Star conversation, blending humor, media personality culture, and the reality of how tough NBA-level basketball really is, even in exhibition settings.
Veteran’s Message Turns Into Viral Punchline After Celebrity All-Star Game
Former NBA veteran Evan Turner added fuel to the moment when he posted a private text exchange with ESPN insider Shams Charania and joked about the result afterward.
Turner wrote on X: “I try to tell @ShamsCharania to take the easy shots and he come back 0-4 from 27ft deep (pause) MIX IN A MAKE!”
The post referenced advice Turner had given Charania before the game. In the text, Turner emphasized transition scoring, easy looks, and free throws.
“Just start early in that celebrity game. First 3 steps in transition should be able to get you out by yourself for some easy shots.” “Get 10 each half and you should be good… It’ll be easy… But don’t miss no free throws,” Turner wrote.
Charania responded confidently, saying he had been putting in serious work.
“I’m on it!!! Been in the lab for the last 5 days getting 200 makes a day.”
But the Celebrity Game box score and fan reaction told a different story.
Charania finished 0-for-4 from three-point range and committed three turnovers. He missed multiple wide-open looks, often hitting the front rim. Despite that, he still called for the ball late in possessions, which became a talking point online.
The performance sparked jokes across social media and sports commentary circles. While some criticism was harsh, others framed it as a reminder of how difficult live game reps can be, even for people deeply embedded in the sport.
Charania is widely respected as one of the most plugged-in insiders in basketball. He has previously described his work schedule as “24/7/365,” emphasizing how reporting consumes most of his life. That dedication has made him one of the most influential voices in NBA news cycles.
The Celebrity Game itself continues to serve as a lighter entry point into All-Star Weekend. While the Rising Stars Challenge and main All-Star Game showcase elite talent like VJ Edgecombe, who recently delivered game-winners and earned MVP honors, the celebrity event exists largely for entertainment.
Turner’s viral moment ultimately added to that spirit. It showed the contrast between professional-level execution and casual competition. It also highlighted the playful relationship between current and former NBA players and the media figures who cover them daily.
Looking ahead, moments like this help fuel All-Star Weekend’s digital conversation. While the on-court performance may fade quickly, viral exchanges like Turner’s post often become the lasting memory fans carry forward into the rest of the weekend and maybe into next year’s celebrity matchup.