Knicks' Alvarado Recalls Shaq's Funny Reaction to Pelicans Scuffle

The point guard's tussle with Suns' Williams drew a quick call from the NBA legend.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:22am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the physical confrontation between two basketball players, with their bodies and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.A cubist interpretation of the physical altercation between Alvarado and Williams, capturing the intensity and chaos of the moment.New Orleans Today

New York Knicks player Jose Alvarado revealed a humorous exchange he had with NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal after a physical altercation with Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams during the 2025-26 season, when Alvarado was with the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite being significantly smaller than Williams, Alvarado stood his ground in the scuffle, which caught the attention of the Hall of Famer.

Why it matters

The incident highlighted Alvarado's scrappy, competitive spirit as an undersized player, which has endeared him to fans. O'Neal's quick reaction also demonstrated the camaraderie and mentorship that often exists between veteran and younger NBA players.

The details

Alvarado said Shaq called him right after the fight, telling the then-Pelicans guard, "That's how you do it, young fella. Don't worry, that's chump change." The comment was a reference to the significant size and salary disparity between Alvarado and the much larger Williams.

  • The incident occurred during the 2025-26 NBA season.

The players

Jose Alvarado

A point guard who currently plays for the New York Knicks, known for his scrappy, competitive style of play.

Shaquille O'Neal

A Hall of Fame NBA player and current basketball analyst, known for his dominant physical presence and larger-than-life personality.

Mark Williams

A center who plays for the Phoenix Suns, significantly taller and larger than the 6'0" Alvarado.

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What they’re saying

“Shout out to Shaq, he called me right away. He said, 'That's how you do it, young fella. Don't worry, that's chump change.'”

— Jose Alvarado, New York Knicks Player

The takeaway

Alvarado's scrappy play and Shaq's supportive reaction highlight the camaraderie and mentorship that can exist between veteran and younger NBA players, even when they are on different teams.