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Former NBA great Shaquille O'Neal in hospital after surgery

O'Neal alongside Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic
O'Neal alongside Dallas Mavericks star Luka DoncicTroy Taormina - USA TODAY

Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal (51)has had hip surgery, Broadcaster TNT said on Monday, after the four-time NBA champion gave fans a fright by posting a photo of himself lying in a hospital bed.

The 15-time All-Star and analyst for Inside the NBA will be absent from the broadcast booth while he recovers but sent out a note of support for the job being done by his fellow sportscasters Ernie Johnson and Candace Parker on Sunday.

"I'm always watching," O'Neal wrote on Twitter, with a photo of himself in a hospital gown. "Miss y'all."

Seven-time WNBA All-Star Parker responded to the tweet, "Love ya big Fella," as fans speculated over his wellbeing. A spokesperson for TNT confirmed the surgery to Reuters.

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