Shaquille O'Neal is already counting out the Philadelphia 76ers as they're set to face the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. According to the former three-time MVP and NBA on TNT Analyst, the Hawks are guaranteed to move on to the next round and he's predicting a gentleman's sweep at that.

During the halftime break of the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns, the TNT crew briefly touched on the up-and-coming Hawks taking on the highly-touted Sixers unit. Charles Barkley, Shaq's best frenemy, noted that this series is anybody's ball game. But, according to Shaq, it's an easy choice.

“No, it's not,” O'Neal told Barkley (via Ky Carlin). “It's Hawks in 5. Write it down,”

Now that's a hot take. But, the Lakers legend did have an interesting premise to his bold prediction.

“Without Joel Embiid for a whole series, Ernie,” he added.

Okay, now that sounds a bit more realistic. Embiid has been the cornerstone for the Sixers the entire season. Aside from being the team's MVP candidate, the 27-year-old has been nothing short of fantastic this whole season, including the playoffs.

The four-time All-Star was averaging 29.3 points per game and seven boards in the first three games against the Washington Wizards. Embiid had to exit in Game 4 after just 11 minutes due to knee soreness which turned out to be a small lateral meniscus tear.

If the Sixers will be without their starting superstar, then it will be quite the mountain to climb for Ben Simmons and the rest of the Sixers. With the red-hot Trae Young leading the way for the Hawks, don't be surprised if Shaq's crazy prediction does come true.