ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins Silences Richard Jefferson With Perfectly Timed Zinger

Perkins couldn’t help but crack a joke at Jefferson’s expense.

During NBA on ESPN on Wednesday, NBA veteran-turned-analyst Kendrick Perkins managed to leave Richard Jefferson stunned with a ruthless one-timer.

When discussing some of the most complete teams remaining in the NBA Playoffs, Jefferson came to the conclusion that he and Perkins were “splitting hairs” with their arguments. 

Taking the opportunity so perfectly presented to him, Perkins clapped back at Jefferson with a ruthless joke pointed at Jefferson’s hair (or lack thereof). 

“You’re not splitting hairs ever,” joked Perkins.

Jefferson was straight-faced in the aftermath, clearly unamused by the comments from the fellow analyst, all the while Perkins cracked up over his own joke. 

Perkins tweeted the clip, telling Jefferson that he “couldn’t hold back.”

Perkins seemed most pleased with himself after pulling a fast one on Jefferson, who had a look of extreme disappointment.

The former NBA champions turned ESPN analysts briefly tabled their debate while Perkins erupted into a fit of laughter, before their co-host steered the conversation to the next topic.

In a GQ video in 2022, Jefferson claimed he went bald at 21 years old, though it seems 21 years later, he’s still not a fan of people having a laugh over it. 

Perkins and Jefferson have gone back and forth with one another during their time at ESPN, including last season when the latter joked that Perkins last played basketball two years before his retirement from the NBA. For now, it’s Perkins who got the last laugh.