Kendrick Perkins’ wife in cheeky NBA Finals scene with Richard Jefferson:
By Jaclyn Hendricks
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Monday’s Game 5 recap of the NBA Finals took an interesting pivot on “SportsCenter.”
When discussing the Thunder’s 120-109 home win over the Pacers, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins playfully chided fellow analyst Richard Jefferson over an exchange he was having with Perkins’ wife, Vanity.
“Were you just waving at my wife?” Perkins asked Jefferson, who was seated beside “SportsCenter” host Scott Van Pelt.
Richard Jefferson waved to Kendrick Perkins’ wife while covering Game 5 of the NBA Finals in June 2025.
Awful Announcing via ESPN/X
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Jefferson, 44, waved to Vanity, who was off camera, and said, “She waved at me first.”
As Jefferson repeated, “She waved at me first,” Perkins, 40, started laughing and lightly swiped the former NBA forward’s cheek.
Even as moderator Van Pelt tried to keep the program moving, he quipped to his fellow panelists, “Stop blowing kisses out here.”
Scott Van Pelt was part of the cheeky moment that unfolded on "SportsCenter."
Kendrick Perkins softly swiped Richard Jefferson’s cheek in the moment.
Awful Announcing via ESPN/X
Perkins, who played for the Thunder from 2011-15, has been married to Vanity for 15 years.
The couple will celebrate their 16th wedding anniversary in July.
He penned a heartfelt Mother’s Day tribute to Vanity in May, calling her the “heart and soul” of their family.
Kendrick Perkins with his wife, Vanity.
7
The couple has been married for 15 years.
Kendrick Perkins/Instagram
“Thank you for not just being the best Wife that a man can ask for but being the Best Mother to our 4 beautiful Children. Haven’t a glorious and outstanding Day today and enjoy it beautiful. I love you sooo much,” Perkins posted on Instagram.
The cheeky scene between Perkins and Jefferson unfolded at the Paycom Center, where Oklahoma City took a 3-2 series lead and is now one win away from an NBA title.
Kendrick Perkins during ESPN’s NBA Finals coverage in June 2025.
NBAE via Getty Images
Richard Jefferson is part of ESPN’s top NBA booth.
NBAE via Getty Images
League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points while Jalen Williams added a career playoff-high of 40 points.
“It wasn’t a perfect game at all and there’s a lot of room for growth,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “But our improvement from Game 4 to Game 5 was critical.”
The Thunder defeated the Pacers in Game 4, 111-104, to even the series at two apiece.
Game 6 is set for Thursday in Indianapolis. If necessary, Game 7 shifts back to Oklahoma City on Sunday.
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