TikTok users have been flooding the platform with posts featuring the ‘Lakers in 5′ meme, a trend that has taken over NBA discussions and sports edits. What started as a simple catchphrase from Shannon Sharpe quickly evolved into a viral sensation, inspiring countless videos, remixes, and reactions.
Here’s how it began and why it’s everywhere.
What is ‘Lakers in 5’ meme on TikTok?
‘Lakers in 5’ is a viral meme and TikTok trend based on a catchphrase by sports commentator Shannon Sharpe.
The phrase predicts the Los Angeles Lakers will win a playoff series in five games. It gained popularity after Sharpe said, “OKC, KFC, UFC… Lakers in 5!” on First Take.
He had previously used the phrase in August 2020, saying, “Whiteside, backside, sunny side, Lakers in 5,” referencing Hassan Whiteside and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Sharpe uses a comedic rhyming style to list names or phrases before saying “Lakers in 5.” He often does this during televised debates about NBA matchups. The phrase means the Lakers would win a best-of-seven playoff series in just five games. At the time of his March 2025 comment, the Lakers were 10 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite this, Sharpe still called them the best team in the Western Conference.
TikTok users adopted the meme format by creating edited videos that follow Sharpe’s rhyming pattern. These typically include three rhyming phrases or references, followed by a clip of Sharpe shouting, “Lakers in 5,” then transitioning to highlight reels of Lakers players like LeBron James or Luka Dončić. One viral example used: “Llama, Llama red pajama, Barack Hussein Obama, Taste So Good Make You Wanna Slap Yo’ Momma, Lakers in 5.”
Other examples include “Serge Ibaka, Chewbacca, Wacka Flocka, Lakers in,” and “Steph’s Threes, Embiid’s Knees, Austin Reaves, Lakers in 5.” The phrase has been widely quoted and memed by sports fans, commentators, and TikTok creators.
A skit reenacting Sharpe’s style received over 148,800 likes, while an edit using three rhyming clips followed by “Lakers in 5” gained over 559,600 likes. The meme format has spread rapidly since late February 2025.
