“Rest is not a waste of time, it is a necessity,” a quote from the internet that James Worthy might have taken too seriously! Because what just happened during the Lakers-Clippers breakdown is unbelievable. Look, we get it that sometimes a job can be frustrating. But dozing off on live TV? That’s a whole new level. And yet, Big Game James did exactly that. Fans and critics? Oh, they’re not letting this slide. Social media is already buzzing, and let’s just say the reactions are anything but forgiving. So was it exhaustion or boredom? Either way, this one’s going down in Lakers broadcast history.

On Sunday night, the Lakers secured their sixth straight win, even without Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. With 16 wins in their last 19 games, they’re dominating the court. Luka Dončić dropped 29 points and nine assists, while LeBron James added 17 as the Lakers edged past the Clippers, 108-102. At this point, breaking down why the Lakers are on fire might feel repetitive. But come on, bro, dozing off on live TV? James, this time you did the unthinkable. Fans and critics aren’t letting this slide, and honestly, we can’t blame them. The Lakers are putting on a show. Staying awake for it isn’t asking for much, right?

But what happened has stunned everyone. A handle @HaterReport recently posted a clip on X (formerly Twitter) that left NBA fans in disbelief. Three-time NBA champion James Worthy caught mid-nap while his co-hosts were still breaking down the game. @HaterReport didn’t hold back, captioning it, “AIN’T NO WAY JAMES WORTHY JUST FELL ASLEEP ON LIVE TELEVISION 😭😭😭” And honestly? Same. We were shocked. They were shocked. But the fans? Oh, they had an entirely different reaction because the internet never lets moments like this slide.

And believe it or not, this isn’t the first time an NBA analyst has been caught catching some Z’s on set. Just last year on NBA on TNT, Kenny Smith dozed off during a breakdown of the Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks matchup. Fans weren’t too happy back then either, and the moment quickly became meme gold. So yeah, sneaking in a quick nap on live TV isn’t unheard of. But when it happens during a Lakers post-game show with James Worthy in the spotlight, you know the internet is going to have a field day.

Fans erupt with hate on James Worthy

James Worthy, the three-time NBA champion, has seen it all on the court. But on Sunday night, he made headlines for dozing off during a live post-game show. As expected, the internet wasted no time reacting to this. Some fans were quick to defend Worthy, pointing out that the man was 64 years old. A user @Jason sympathized, tweeting,  “😭thats how it is being old i can relate”. Well, like color, is age discrimination also a thing?

Indeed, but it is true that aging athletes-turned-analysts often struggle with long hours. And let’s be honest, staying up late after a game isn’t as easy as it used to be. If anything, Jason’s comment just proves that fans see James as more than just an NBA icon, they see a relatable human being. Meanwhile, another fan added, “He’s old man cut him some slack lmaoooo”  Well, Worthy has been covering the Lakers for years, and if he’s earned anything, it’s a little grace from the fanbase. After all, falling asleep courtside would’ve been a problem, but doing it under studio lights? Maybe just a tired man catching a break. 

But not everyone blamed his age. Some believed the real culprit was the game itself, too dull to dissect, let alone stay awake for. A passionate fan didn’t hold back and blasted, “I would too if I had to watch that boring a– lakers team”. Then, of course, there were the skeptics. One user refused to believe it, demanding proof. He wrote, “Clip or it didn’t happen mane lmao”. Fair enough! Social media thrives on exaggeration, and everybody knows it. With so many memes and doctored videos circulating, some users refuse to believe anything until they see undeniable footage. But the funniest take? A user named @Saheem took a dig at the TNT only reasons best known to him! “Still better at basketball analysis than the TNT guys.” 

So, what do you think? Was it old age, a dull game, or just a meme-worthy moment? Whatever the case, James Worthy accidentally gave the internet to talk about for quite a few days.