Sports debate show hosts and analysts openly root for certain teams, but Keyshawn Johnson crossed a line when he openly rooted for an injury.
Monday morning on FS1’s Undisputed, Bayless noted Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray’s playing status for Game 5 of their playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers was in question.
Keyshawn Johnson openly cheering the news that Jamal Murray is questionable with an injury… pic.twitter.com/NSSiUpWx3v
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 29, 2024
“With about two minutes to go Saturday night, Jamal Murray came down a little funky, and he somehow strained his calf,” Bayless said.
Keyshawn Johnson, who is a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers, responded to the injury note on Murray by saying, “Good.” Surprisingly, Johnson wasn’t done celebrating Murray’s injury.
“And they’re listing him as questionable tonight,” Bayless added of Murray, an update that prompted Johnson to yell, “Yay!”
Bayless roots for the Dallas Cowboys, Stephen A. Smith roots for the New York Knicks, and Johnson roots for the Los Angeles Lakers, which is all fine. It allows them to rant, cheer, or lean into a bit for the purpose of entertainment. But even for a medium that is often excused of having journalistic ethics and standards, blatantly rooting for or celebrating an opposing player’s injury is transgressive behavior.
This also wasn’t breaking news for Murray. The Nuggets point guard was dealing with the injury throughout the fourth quarter of their Saturday night loss to the Lakers, which ended Denver’s 11-game winning streak over LeBron James and the Lakers. This means Johnson’s reaction was probably more performative than impulsive.
It’s a bad look for any sports media personality, regardless of the team or player. But it’s particularly noteworthy considering the Nuggets and their fanbase have regularly lamented the national media for snubbing their franchise in recent seasons. Johnson celebrating Murray’s injury during the NBA Playoffs only adds fuel to the narrative.
