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Ernie Johnson's Inside the NBA farewell isn't a full retirement

ESPN's compilation captures his plans to leave after the season, his colleagues' tributes and the familiar studio mischief that follows.

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ESPN Story of November 5, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? 829,706 views so far, and here is what is inside it.

Inside The NBA BEST MOMENTS following Ernie Johnson's farewell notice

Video summary

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0:00Johnson announces his final Inside the NBA season and clarifies that he will continue other projects.
2:40Barkley reflects emotionally on Johnson's friendship and leadership, followed by O'Neal's thanks and a standing ovation.
6:31Tyrese Maxey joins remotely for questions about fatherhood and his play.
16:06Kyrie Irving discusses returning to the court and mentoring younger teammates.
20:35A Steam Room clip recounts Dean Smith's farewell dinner checks, prompting questions about Kenny Smith's uncashed check.
27:40Johnson tests Barkley's knowledge of Garrett Temple's former teams; the answers and result follow.

"Just to be clear, I'm not retiring, I'm just cutting back," Ernie Johnson tells his Inside the NBA colleagues. He will leave the program at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, making more room for family while continuing other projects.

ESPN's compilation opens with that announcement and gives Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith space to respond. Barkley becomes emotional as he describes the person behind the host's chair: "Is Ernie Johnson as good of a person as he seemed? And I say, man, he's better than that."

O'Neal's thanks are simpler: "Thanks for the great run. I never thought this day would happen." A standing ovation follows. The broadcast includes a sponsored tip-off segment.

But this isn't half an hour of uninterrupted goodbyes. Johnson interviews Tyrese Maxey and Kyrie Irving, Barkley defends his peculiar habit of keeping Vaseline in his belly button, and a prop spider interrupts proceedings behind the desk. The shift from gratitude to absurdity gives the compilation its distinctly Inside the NBA character.

In the comments, viewers propose taking the show outside every NBA arena for a Johnson farewell tour. Others point to Barkley's emotional response or thank Johnson for accompanying decades of basketball watching.

The closing stretch returns to "Who He Play For?", with Garrett Temple joining remotely to congratulate Johnson before the host tests Barkley on Temple's former teams. Even with a goodbye hanging over the desk, Johnson still has a quiz to administer.

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What viewers say

Ernie needs his own farewell tour. They should host the show outside every NBA arena
@syxx242See it on YouTube
Even his goodbye is award winning
@Philip-j5v6zSee it on YouTube
Ernie is the definition of a class act
@Spoooky21See it on YouTube

4 more comments

Come on man, I can't be crying in the office 😭❤️
@do3807See it on YouTube
Dont watch the first 5 minutes in public if you dont want strangers asking you if youre ok
@davededoverdeSee it on YouTube
Ernie, thanks for all that you've done for us. We love you so much!
@TheKirkChenSee it on YouTube
Glad they can say it TO him while he can hear it, rather than waiting until he can't hear them at all.🙏🏾
@xavierwilliams9636See it on YouTube