Ray Nicholson Recounts His 'Traumatic Experience' Getting Pantsed by Kobe Bryant at a Lakers Game

Mar. 15, 2025

Ray Nicholson, Kobe Bryant.Photo:Phillip Faraone/Getty; Rich Fury/Getty

Phillip Faraone/Getty; Rich Fury/Getty

Ray Nicholson’s NBA stories are unmatched.The 33-year-old actor looked back on some of the most thrilling moments he’s experienced while sitting courtside with his father — NBA superfanJack Nicholson— during an appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live!on Wednesday, March 12.Nicholson first shared a “traumatic experience” that brought him to tears at a game when he was just six years old. “I was with my best friend, Beau, who was also six, andKobe Bryantand Nick Van Exel pantsed us,” he revealed. “Pantsed us before the game.“Nicholson said he and Beau “started crying” after the incident. “They felt really bad,” he added of Van Exel and the late Bryant. “They actually came up and apologized, and were like, ‘No, you’re a part of the team,’ " he shared.Nicholson shared a second courtside story during his interview with Kimmel, which was a much more positive experience for the father-son actors — despite the story involving a 6-foot-11Kevin Garnettbarreling into him.Setting the scene, Nicholson said: “2010, Game 7, Lakers-Celtics, fourth quarter, tight game.“TheBorderlineactor recalled how his dad told him, “You’re sitting courtside, watch the player not the ball.“Jack Nicholson (L) and Ray Nicholson attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.Noel Vasquez/GC ImagesBut a young Nicholson couldn’t help but watch the ball when it came near him during the end of the game. “The ball is bouncing right towards me and I’m thinking I’m going to touch the ball in Game 7,” Nicholson said.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Kimmel then played the clip of Garnett falling into the younger Nicholson, perfectly missing his father. “He’s on top of me, shaking me, like, ‘Are you okay?’,” Nicholson recalled, noting that he remembers Garnett being “very sweaty” during the interaction.“Well, at least he didn’t pull your pants down,” Kimmel joked.

Ray Nicholson’s NBA stories are unmatched.

The 33-year-old actor looked back on some of the most thrilling moments he’s experienced while sitting courtside with his father — NBA superfanJack Nicholson— during an appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live!on Wednesday, March 12.

Nicholson first shared a “traumatic experience” that brought him to tears at a game when he was just six years old. “I was with my best friend, Beau, who was also six, andKobe Bryantand Nick Van Exel pantsed us,” he revealed. “Pantsed us before the game.”

Nicholson said he and Beau “started crying” after the incident. “They felt really bad,” he added of Van Exel and the late Bryant. “They actually came up and apologized, and were like, ‘No, you’re a part of the team,’ " he shared.

Nicholson shared a second courtside story during his interview with Kimmel, which was a much more positive experience for the father-son actors — despite the story involving a 6-foot-11Kevin Garnettbarreling into him.

Setting the scene, Nicholson said: “2010, Game 7, Lakers-Celtics, fourth quarter, tight game.”

TheBorderlineactor recalled how his dad told him, “You’re sitting courtside, watch the player not the ball.”

Jack Nicholson (L) and Ray Nicholson attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.Noel Vasquez/GC Images

Noel Vasquez/GC Images

But a young Nicholson couldn’t help but watch the ball when it came near him during the end of the game. “The ball is bouncing right towards me and I’m thinking I’m going to touch the ball in Game 7,” Nicholson said.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Kimmel then played the clip of Garnett falling into the younger Nicholson, perfectly missing his father. “He’s on top of me, shaking me, like, ‘Are you okay?’,” Nicholson recalled, noting that he remembers Garnett being “very sweaty” during the interaction.

“Well, at least he didn’t pull your pants down,” Kimmel joked.

source: people.com