Barkley and Jordan Reunite After 14-Year Feud

The NBA legends plan to hit the links after the current season ends.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:04pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic interplay between two basketball players, with vibrant colors and sharp, overlapping shapes conveying the energy and competitive spirit of their reunion.The long-awaited reunion of NBA legends Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan on the golf course promises a competitive and joyful celebration of their renewed friendship.Chicago Today

After a 14-year rift, NBA Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan have reconciled and plan to play golf together once the current basketball season concludes. The two were once inseparable friends and teammates on the legendary 1992 'Dream Team' but had a falling out in 2012 over Barkley's criticism of Jordan's leadership of the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets). However, Barkley recently revealed the two have reconnected and are looking forward to reuniting on the golf course.

Why it matters

The feud between Barkley and Jordan captivated basketball fans for over a decade, as the two were once incredibly close and their falling out felt like a tragic loss of an iconic friendship. Their reconciliation represents a heartwarming resolution to one of the NBA's most high-profile personal disputes, reminding us that even the greatest athletes are human and can mend broken relationships.

The details

In a recent interview, Barkley casually revealed that he and Jordan had spoken in the last 72 hours and planned to get together to play golf once the current NBA season ends. The two had a falling out in 2012 after Barkley, working as an analyst on TNT's 'Inside the NBA,' offered a critical assessment of Jordan's tenure as the Bobcats' executive. Jordan took great offense to Barkley's comments and the two stopped speaking for 14 years, despite their long history as close friends and teammates.

  • Barkley and Jordan's friendship fell apart in 2012 after Barkley's on-air criticism of Jordan's leadership of the Bobcats.
  • The two NBA legends have now reconciled and plan to play golf together once the current 2026 NBA season concludes.

The players

Charles Barkley

A Hall of Fame NBA player who was once extremely close friends with Michael Jordan, but the two had a falling out in 2012 over Barkley's criticism of Jordan's tenure as the Bobcats' executive. The two have now reconciled after 14 years.

Michael Jordan

A Hall of Fame NBA player and widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He and Charles Barkley were once inseparable friends and teammates on the 1992 'Dream Team,' but their relationship soured in 2012 over Barkley's criticism of Jordan's leadership of the Bobcats.

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What they’re saying

“Hey, we're not like Prince William and Prince Harry. We always had a lot of love for each other. But we talked, actually, in the last probably 72 hours. We decided to get together and play golf as soon as basketball is over.”

— Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer

What’s next

Barkley and Jordan plan to meet up and play golf together once the current 2026 NBA season concludes.

The takeaway

The reconciliation between Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan, two of the NBA's biggest stars in the 1990s, represents a heartwarming resolution to one of the league's most high-profile personal feuds. Their renewed friendship serves as a reminder that even the greatest athletes are human and can mend broken relationships, no matter how long the rift may last.