Charles Barkley issued an apology to Mike D'Antoni and Donnie Walsh at halftime of TNT 's 76ers-Heat broadcast Thursday nightfor comments he made about D'Antoni's job security before Game 2 of the Knicks -Celtics series Tuesday.

"I have a rule; I try to always be honest and fair on TV,'' he said. "I screwed up the other night when I said something about Mike D'Antoni that wasn't cool. I want to apologize to Mike D'Antoni and Donnie Walsh . When you're on television, you should never talk about someone getting hired or fired. That's inappropriate. I made that mistake. I want to apologize personally to Mike D'Antoni and Donnie Walsh. I've got a great respect for Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni. I want to apologize. That's all I can do.''

During TNT 's pregame show Tuesday, Barkley criticized D'Antoni's coaching and added, "That's why they are going to have a new coach next year.''

D'Antoni got word of it via text message after the Knicks ' loss.