NBA playoffs: Charles Barkley reignites feud with Nuggets mascot after years of beef during Game 2

Charles Barkley’s reignited his rivalry with Rocky during Game 2 of the NBA Finals, after repeatedly clashing with the Denver Nuggets mascot in the ’90s, as a player for the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets.

On Sunday night, the TNT analyst and highest-paid mascot in the NBA ($625k) met on the court of Ball Arena to try to end their long-standing feud. Barkley gifted his No. 34 Suns jersey, while Rocky offered the ex-forward his retro jacket from the ’90s. 

The pair seemingly buried their decades-long hatchet when they shook hands but things took a twist just moments later, when Denver’s mascot unexpectedly blinded Chuck by throwing both shirts items back at him before landing a sucker punch and running away.

After the hit, Barkley stood in shock with his hand on his chest.

His fair share of fights with mascots is nothing new, dating back from the almost 33 years ago and one of his favorites foes was the Nuggets’ mountain lion, who’s been a part of the organization since 1990. 

Ex-NBA forward Charles Barkley and Nuggets mascot Rocky shake hands at halftime of Game 2

‘Sir Charles’ and Rocky have a history of a rivalry since the 60-year-old playing days in the 90s

‘Sir Charles’ is seen approaching Rocky prior to the start of a regular-season game from his time on the Suns, after the latter called him a chicken through a drawing he made himself. 

Barkley greeted the mascot before smacking his nemesis off its stilts before rejoining his teammates. 

In another resurfaced clip from the ’90s, the 60-year-old goes over to say hello to the Nuggets’ mountain lion during a timeout, before swinging a fist at it. 

In his last four years in the NBA as a Rockets player (1996-2000), the ‘Round Mound of Rebound’ walks up to Rocky, pushing the mascot onto a mat before punching it from behind. He even grabs the mountain lion and stomps on it before a referee acts as a peacemaker between the two. 

Barkley and Rocky buried the hatchet by swapping jerseys during halftime of Sunday’s Game 2

In another bust-up, Rocky squares up to the 11-time All-Star while wearing a boxing glove on his right hand, hiding it behind his back before landing a punch on the 1993 league MVP. 

Barkley is currently part of the NBA TV crew that’s covering the NBA Finals. 

Rocky, on the other hand, is finally making his NBA Finals debut with the Nuggets. 

Prior to Sunday’s Game 2, Barkley jokingly took hits from an oxygen mask that he brought on set, making fun of Denver’s high altitude at 5,280 feet above sea level.

The Nuggets have been using the lung-searing elevation to their advantage for years – especially during these playoffs – though it didn’t work in their latest game against the Heat, to who they lost to, 111-108.