Shaquille O’Neal Denies Sending Viral Explicit DM’s to Sabrina Carpenter, Says He Has “Way More Game”

Shaquille O’Neal has a rather well-known reputation as a pretty solid player off the court, thanks to his rather high-profile dating life. The big fella has even admitted to infidelity during his playing days. So, when Shaq was accused of sending sexually explicit DMs to Sabrina Carpenter recently, not many were surprised.

Carpenter has a huge fanbase, and Shaq was bound to draw backlash. To make matters worse, the messages he was accused of sending were extremely lewd in nature.

However, the Lakers legend has come forward to categorically deny any involvement in the allegations. In typical Shaq fashion, he decided to use humor to profess his innocence to the whole world, joking that he had way more game than what the “fake” DMs were showing. 

“First of all, ladies, the Diesel got way more game than that. I’m just saying,” the Lakers legend said with a grin on The Big Podcast with Shaq. He was comfortable reading the messages aloud on the podcast.

Shaq then asked his co-hosts if it sounded like him, to which they said it did not. Clearly, he was trying to prove his innocence in his own inimitable style. 

Shaquille O’Neal is now addressing claims that he sent Sabrina Carpenter “h*rny” DMs.

Details: https://t.co/BGItIemDXH

Credit: The Big Podcast with Shaq pic.twitter.com/RdjhZauaeZ

— TMZ (@TMZ) March 25, 2026

O’Neal’s co-hosts put forth a theory that the messages were AI-generated. They also mentioned it could have been a fake account posing as Shaq after noticing that the profile picture was the same as his real X account. Of course, a profile picture doesn’t prove Shaq was the culprit. 

Whoever or wherever the posts were generated, O’Neal wanted to make it clear that it wasn’t him. And he also wanted it to be known that he has better pickup lines. 

The instance is a big reminder to the basketball community (and people in general) to not believe everything on the internet. Since AI is widely accessible to common folk today, it’s easier than ever for trolls to spread fake news and hate.

Shaq is one of the most famous people in the country. If he actually messaged a sensation like Carpenter, it wouldn’t be a rumor; it’d be a full-blown scandal.