Spurs coach Gregg Popovich appeared to play a joke on Suns center Shaquille O'Neal just a few seconds into a game between Phoenix and San Antonio on Wednesday night.

Just five seconds into the game, Michael Finley intentionally fouled O'Neal.

After some confusion on behalf of O'Neal and the Suns, ESPN's camera focused on a grinning Popovich, who stuck up both his thumbs in O'Neal's direction.

Shaquille shared a laugh with Popovich before the game was resumed and the intensity of the rivalry between the two teams returned.

O'Neal famously criticized Popovich and the Spurs for employing the "Hack-A-Shaq" strategy in the first round of last year's playoffs.