SPORTS analyst Richard Jefferson slapped Kendrick Perkins after the ex-center asked him to on NBA Today.

The ex-NBA center said he deserved to be punished due to his doubts about Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat earlier in the 2023-24 season.

Kendrick Perkins (pictured) asked Richard Jefferson to slap him across his head on Wednesday’s NBA TodayCredit: ESPN

Jefferson (pictured) granted Perk’s request before burying his face in his handCredit: ESPN

The hilarious moment came as the NBA Today panel discussed the tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference on Wednesday.

With about 20 games left in the regular season, seeds Nos. 4-8 are within 2.0 games from each other.

Those include the Heat, who are 35-26 and have been one of the best-performing teams in the league since overcoming a mid-season crisis.

“I’m giving you this one shot, okay? A golden opportunity,” Perkins told Jefferson during the segment.

“Go ahead, give me a slap across the head.”

Jefferson granted Perk his wish before burying his face in his hand.

“But in a way, look. I deserved it,” Perk said.

Perkins then took accountability for his previous declaration that the Heat should have traded Butler during their mid-season slump.

After starting the 2023-24 campaign with a 24-16 record, Miami lost seven straight games.

But they have bounced back since then, winning 11 of their last 14 games.

During that stretch, the Heat ranked top-five in net rating while boasting the third-best defense in the NBA.

Meanwhile, Butler averaged 24.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 6.5 rebounds.

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“When the time is right, they always step up to the play,” Perkins said.

“And now they’re playing playoff-type basketball — and it’s the culture once again.

“Yes, Jimmy is out there doing what he does best, but I’m looking at what Bam is providing on both ends of the floor, the growth of the young players coming into the system.

“Right now, this team is playing agenda-free. Guys are playing within the team.”

Perkins suggested that once again, the Heat could be the team that Eastern Conference contenders want to avoid in the postseason.

Last season, the eighth-seeded Miami knocked out the top-ranked Milwaukee Bucks of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.