Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had fun coaching ESPN insider Shams Charania during Friday night’s All-Star Celebrity Game. The annual exhibition, part of NBA All-Star Weekend, brings together celebrities for a competitive but playful matchup, creating some memorable interactions. Antetokounmpo led one of the teams while Charania tried his hand at playing basketball under his guidance.
Unfortunately for the veteran NBA insider, he struggled on the court, which gave Giannis plenty of material to poke fun. Shams Charania finished with no points, rebounds, or assists and committed three turnovers, going 0-for-5 from the field before being benched by Antetokounmpo. His struggles stood out even more given his role covering top players in the NBA, making him an easy target for some playful ribbing.
SHAMS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NIGHT WERE CHECKING HIS PHONE DURING THE GAME AND GLARING AT GIANNIS 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/E8dbMyORb5
— KeepingItReal (@KeepItReal721) February 14, 2026
A moment quickly went viral when Charania was benched by Giannis, locking eyes with the Bucks star as he realized his night on the court was over.
Giannis Antetokounmpo having fun at Shams Charania’s expense
Feb 12, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gestures after his team defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Shams was later spotted checking his phone during the game, staying busy chasing NBA scoops. Kevin Durant even joined the fun on Twitter, teasing Charania for ignoring the court in favor of scrolling through messages. Social media quickly turned the celebrity game into a night of jokes at Charania’s expense, with trending posts labeling him the biggest loser of the event.
My goodness, have some respect @ShamsCharania…during the game?????????? pic.twitter.com/gjTwKNzk7x
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 14, 2026
In a pre-game ESPN interview, Giannis didn’t shy away from poking fun at Charania. Richard Jefferson suggested the two-time MVP had an edge with some skilled athletes on his team, and Giannis quickly fired back, jokingly singling out one player on his roster to throw under the bus.
Feb 13, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Giannis Antetokounmpo arrives on the green carpet prior to an NBA Celebrity All-Star basketball game at Kia Forum. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
“You know, why it’s not fair? Because we have Shams on my team. He cannot hoop! But everybody else can hoop,” joked the Greek Freak.
Giannis remaining in Milwaukee gave him the perfect setup to poke fun at all the trade rumors involving his name, showing he’d been paying attention to Charania and other reporters. The All-Star Celebrity Game became the ideal stage for some playful revenge, roasting Shams before the game and then benching him after a rough performance on the court.