The NBA world has lost a legend.

Not a player, not a coach, not even a referee—but rather a parody social media account that has tipped the league upside down a time or two over the last several years.

The X (formerly Twitter) account “@TheNBACentel,” a play on the NBA news aggregation page “NBACentral,” was effectively shut down on Wednesday afternoon and has since had all of its posts deleted. The account had amassed a follower count of 150k+ on the platform and was well known for not only spreading fake stories and misinformation about the league, but also for having many prominent sports media professionals fall for the gags.

Getting “Centel’d” became a thing. Now? It may be a thing of the past.

Given the popularity of the account and its notoriety on the internet, the NBA world—and even some verified NBA team accounts—paid tribute to the loss of Centel on X.

We’ll miss you, Centel. Gone, but never forgotten.

TheNBACentel wasn’t just another Twitter account—it was a cultural phenomenon. With its mix of humor, satire, and sometimes outrageous hot takes, the account became a staple of NBA Twitter. Whether you loved it or hated it, you couldn’t ignore it. It had a unique ability to stir up debates, troll fanbases, and deliver hilarious commentary that kept the NBA community entertained daily.

What made TheNBACentel so special was its unpredictability. You never knew what was coming next—a wild conspiracy theory, a fake Woj-style trade alert, or a savage meme roasting a player or team. It was the kind of account that made NBA Twitter feel alive, turning casual nights into viral moments. Even NBA players and media personalities couldn’t help but react, proving just how influential it had become.

Beyond just comedy, TheNBACentel reflected the pulse of NBA fandom. It captured the highs and lows of a season, the frustrations of a bad trade, and the joy of a buzzer-beater win. It was a voice for diehard fans, exaggerating emotions in a way that felt both relatable and ridiculous at the same time. It wasn’t about being right—it was about being entertaining, and it nailed that perfectly.

Now that it’s gone, NBA Twitter feels a little less chaotic, a little less fun. TheNBACentel was more than a troll account; it was an icon of the modern sports social media era. Fans will remember the countless moments it created, and its absence leaves a void that no other account can easily fill. Love it or hate it, one thing is certain—it will be missed.