Basketball

The Splash Brothers probably won't be called the Sumo Brothers any time soon ... 'cause Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both went head-to-head against wrestling legend Hakuhō Shō -- and they hilariously failed to make him budge!!

The Golden State Warriors met up with Hakuhō while visiting Japan for a slate of preseason games this week ... and naturally, they had to test their strength against the highly decorated retired pro.

Despite getting pointers from Hakuhō, both Steph and Klay have a heck of a time getting him to move an inch ... but you gotta give them credit for trying against one of the greatest sumo wrestlers of all time.

But, the craziest part?? Hakuhō appeared to be wearing socks on the hardwood floor ... but there was no slippage issue here!!

FYI -- Hakuhō holds the record for most wins in the top division with 1,093 ... more than 200 victories over second place.

Hakuhō wasn't the only big name hanging with the Warriors this week -- BTS' Suga was also in attendance ... and gifted the players autographed albums!!

Adam Levine's getting dragged for his cheating scandal, but as he gets ready for a big gig in Vegas ... he's getting strong support from the man throwing the event ... Shaquille O'Neal.

Shaq tells TMZ Sports ... Adam is still good in his book, despite the Maroon 5 frontman's alleged infidelity, because Adam's always done charity work for children in need.

Adam and Maroon 5 are getting set to perform this weekend at The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation's annual fundraising gala, "The Event" in Las Vegas ... and Shaq says Adam's dedication to charity shows his true character, in his book.

While there's a lot of anticipation to see Adam on stage for the first time since multiple women accused him of sliding into their DMs -- including one who says they had a physical relationship -- Shaq says the only thing that matters is having Adam and Maroon 5 there to help raise money.

The way Shaq sees it ... he's not in a position to cast judgment on Adam.

For what it's worth, Adam and his pregnant wife, supermodel Behati Prinsloo, are presenting a united front -- this week they hopped on a private jet for a getaway before his Sin City gig. Adam's also denying having sex with any of his accusers, but admits he "crossed a line."

LeBron James has a new team -- the four-time NBA champ is the newest owner of a professional pickleball team ... and he's teaming up with a group of other hoops stars!

Major League Pickleball announced Wednesday an ownership group, LRMR ventures, led by LeBron James and business partner, Maverick Carter, had purchased a new squad.

Joining the four-time MVP in his latest business venture is his former teammate in Cleveland, Kevin Love, and his good friend and rival over the years, Warriors star Draymond Green.

As MLP expands, the list of high-profile names wanting to associate with the growing sport rises.

Retired NFL quarterback Drew Brees became the owner of the Mad Drops Pickleball Club in July ... joining Lakers co-owner Jim Buss who is a part of the ownership group.

James already has an ownership stake in Fenway Sports Group, the owner of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, and Liverpool F.C., the English Premier League soccer team.

And now, James can add this latest acquisition to his impressive portfolio.

Mike Bibby is back on the bench -- well, four benches, really -- 'cause the former NBA star is joining the newly formed Fan Controlled Hoops, and he's going to serve as coach for the entire league.

TMZ Sports talked to the former #2 overall pick (1998 NBA Draft) ... when he broke the news, he's coaching again!

"My main thing getting back into [coaching] is just so I can mentor these kids, get them on the right path, just teach them basketball, all the knowledge I have," Bibby told us.

FCH, like Fan Controlled Football, is different from other leagues ... fans control select aspects of the actual gameplay. What play will the team run? Fans vote. There's a ton of interaction ... and the court will even look different.

"It's gonna be great. Just the concept of the whole thing is gonna be amazing," Bibby says.

"I think once everybody sees it, the LED court, just the concept of how players can get power-ups, the paints lit up, you get 3 or 4 points for a dunk, there's a lot that's gonna be changed. It's gonna be a fast-paced game!"

The inaugural season will feature four different teams ... made up of college and professional players, and possibly even influencers.

We asked Bibby, who's just 44 years old, if there was a chance he might come off the bench and actually play.

"No, no, no, no, no, I'm twice these guys' age. My playing days are over. Ya know, I'll get out there and maybe play a little pick up, maybe get into practice a little bit to where there's no cameras. But, when the camera come on, I gotta sit down. There's not gonna be any embarrassment of me."

Bibby isn't the only former star hooper who's a part of the FCH. Baron Davis is also involved as an advisor and team owner.

It's likely other celebs will come on board. The FCF has team owners like Quavo, Richard Sherman, Steve Aoki, and more ... and Bibby says the star power is likely to follow them to the FCH.

Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Luka Doncic ditched basketballs for rackets this weekend -- hitting tennis courts in Dallas for charity -- and it turns out the trio of hoopers have no issues whatsoever channelin' their inner-Serena Williams!!

The Dallas Mavericks icons -- plus Ben Stiller and a whole host of other celebs and athletes -- all competed in the fifth-annual Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic on Sunday ... and they looked GOOD.

The NBA ballers partnered up with some of the biggest names in tennis for the tournament, including Andy Roddick and Mark Knowles ... and they went at it at the SMU Tennis Complex for hours.

The guys showed off some serious athleticism, hitting big-time shots -- all while joking around with each other.

In fact, at one point, Stiller hilariously dissed Nowitzki with a fake handshake after a match!

Nash, though, ended up getting the last laugh on everyone ... the Brooklyn Nets head coach came out on top of the tourney after he and his partner, Spencer Papa, defeated British tennis star Luke Bambridge and his partner, Leo Antonio.

It all looked like a great time ... but the best part? The proceeds from the tourney are going to Nowitzki's foundation -- which focuses on children's wellbeing, health and education.

If you can't beat 'em ... beat up your teammate?!?

That's what one Mali women's basketball player apparently tried to do following a FIBA World Cup loss this week ... throwing several punches after walking off the court -- and the video is nuts!!

The incident went down after Mali's 81-68 defeat at the hands of Serbia ... which marked the country's fourth L in four appearances.

The loss was seemingly 23-year-old forward Salimatou Kourouma's breaking point ... because she decided to let her hands fly and go after her own teammate, 17-year-old Kamite Elisabeth Dabou.

In the video, you can see the players' teammates jumping in to break it up ... but Kourouma tried like hell to get more punches off.

It's unclear if something in the game sparked the incident.

The altercation got FIBA's attention ... and an investigation is now underway.

Mali didn't have much luck in its final match of the Cup, either ... losing 88-65 to Canada on Tuesday. Both players suited up for the contest ... as Kourouma netted 9 points and 6 rebounds, and Dabou added 6 points.

Dub Nation has a new K-Pop megastar in its fanbase -- it's Suga from BTS ... and he's already got Steph Curry's attention!!

1/7 of the most popular music act on the planet posted a snap with a customized "SUGA" Warriors jersey to his nearly 39 million Instagram followers on Monday ... seemingly confirming his allegiance to the Bay Area team.

Of course, the NBA champs have had some major support from K-Pop idols in the past ... from NCT's Chenle and Mark to GOT7 rapper, BamBam, who actually became the team's official global ambassador last season.

Suga's post was quickly noticed by the Warriors' biggest superstar ... who said, "Love the jersey SUGA!! See you soon ✈️"

There's speculation Suga is following in BamBam's footsteps as the team's newest ambassador ... but TMZ Sports is told that's not the case. However, there's rumblings Suga could attend the Warriors' preseason game in Japan later this week.

As we previously pointed out, BamBam's role with the team helped get Andrew Wiggins a starting spot in the All-Star Game ... with all the Ahgases (AKA GOT7 fans) voting on social media to secure the honor for the 27-year-old Canadian hooper.

On top of that, fans lined up for hours just to get a special BamBam x Warriors merch collab as well ... so yeah, the power of K-Pop is real.

Ex-Baylor star Queen Egbo is going off on Kim Mulkey for shutting down a question about Brittney Griner during a press conference -- reminding her old coach that the WNBA superstar is the reason she won a national title in 2012.

Mulkey -- who's been LSU women's basketball coach since 2021 -- was speaking to the media on Monday when a reporter asked her thoughts on Griner's drug conviction in Russia, whom she coached at Baylor from 2009 to 2013.

"I don't think I've seen anything from you on that," the reporter asked ... and Mulkey made sure that would remain the case in a short response.

"And, you won't," Mulkey replied.

Egbo -- who played for the Baylor Bears from 2018 to 2022 -- felt some type of way about Mulkey's response ... and went on Twitter to speak against her former coach.

"A player that built Baylor, 2 national titles, & a 40-0 record," Egbo said, "Yet her former coach refuses to say anything or simply just show any kind of support."

"Keep that in mind when you’re choosing schools."

The WNBA center also retweeted former Bears' player Chloe Jackson's comment about Mulkey's shutdown .. who said, "And I will say it again. SILENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES, smh."

FYI, Egbo and Jackson helped get Mulkey her third national title in 2019.

The reason for Mulkey's response may be stemming from Griner's comments shortly after going #1 overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft ... when BG claimed Mulkey told players to keep quiet about their sexuality for recruiting purposes and the program's image.

Baylor's new HC Nicki Collen, however, did speak on Griner ... saying even though she never coached her, she knows BG made Baylor.

Despite Miles Bridges' off-court troubles, LaMelo Ball is pulling for him to make a return to the Charlotte Hornets ... telling reporters he misses his teammate on Monday.

As we previously reported, the Hornets decided not to sign Bridges to a max extension after he was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence earlier this offseason ... after allegedly hitting the mother of his children in June.

Prior to the alleged violent incident, MB was Melo's go-to guy on the court ... so when the All-Star sat down with the media on Monday, he was asked if he's going to miss that chemistry without Bridges this season.

"Definitely miss him," the 21-year-old said.

"Talking to him day and day just seeing what it is, but other than that ... I haven't really heard too much or anything."

Melo says he's pulling for Bridges to make a return to Charlotte ... but added, "Not really tryna throw the negative energy."

"Just keep it positive."

Of course, Bridges was a key piece to the Hornets team -- averaging 20.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game last season. He's currently a free agent.

Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook have had their share of battles over the years ... but the guys are far from enemies, and have even seemingly become buddies in the process.

Beverley made the remarks at Lakers media day Monday, recalling a never-before-told story when Russ looked out for Bev's sister one night.

Bev said Russ -- a member of the Rockets at the time -- got his sister courtside tickets so she could see Pat play.

"I'm in so much game mode that the only thing I hear is my sister," Beverley said. "I turn around like what the f*** is going on.

"I absorb what he says. I look at my sister, she's on the floor."

Beverley said he went up to Westbrook during the game and acknowledged the gesture ... saying, "That's real as f***. That's real."

Pat -- who was traded to the Lake Show in August -- said from then on, things have been smooth sailing for him and Russ, despite public perception.

"If I was to name a best friend," Beverley said, "I been on the team three weeks, four weeks, It'd easily be him. We work out together. We lift weights together. We chat all the time."

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams is opening up about the findings in the Robert Sarver investigation ... saying he was "disgusted" by the owner's use of the n-word.

Williams spoke with reporters at Suns media day on Monday ... and was asked about Sarver repeating the racial slur several times during the course of his ownership.

"In reference to that word, I don't like it," Williams said. "I never have, especially when I was younger and I learned what that word meant. I learned how demeaning it was towards humanity, not just black folks."

"And when I saw the report, I was not happy about it. Quite frankly, disgusted. It's not a word you repeat any time."

Williams said he was bothered about the report ... and says he understands the slur has become a more "socially accepted word" in the Black community -- but it doesn't make Sarver's actions right.

Despite all the damning allegations against Sarver, Williams says he never once thought about leaving the Suns ... and wanted to help bring change to the franchise.

Celtics star Jaylen Brown admits he was blindsided by the allegations against Boston head coach Ime Udoka ... saying he was both "shocked" and "confused" over it all.

Brown made the revelation after he was asked by reporters at the team's media day on Monday what his reaction was when he found out Udoka had been accused of having a consensual relationship with a female Celtics staffer -- all allegedly while he was still dating Nia Long.

"My initial reaction, we were all shocked at what was going on," Brown said ... before adding, "A little confused a little bit, but a lot of information wasn't being shared with us."

Brown -- who's been with the Celtics the last six seasons -- said there have been no conversations between him and Udoka since the coach was suspended for the scandal.

Jayson Tatum also spoke about Udoka and the season-long suspension levied against the C's head man ... calling it "a lot to process."

"Coming into this season," the star wing said, "you feel a certain way, and coming off last year, you're excited. Trying to do all these things."

"Along with everyone else, just still trying to process it all, knowing we start practice tomorrow."

NBC Sports Boston reporter Amanda Pflugrad also called out the Celtics at the start of Monday's event ... as well as the social media users who posted the names of female employees to speculate on the identity of the staffer.

"Every woman in our organization has worked extremely hard to get where she is at, and she deserves and earns everything that she has right now," she said. "For things in the Celtics, and what we’re doing moving forward, things do need to change. You need to stand up, support us and hear us."

Actor Kadeem Hardison is a little hesitant about the "White Men Can't Jump" reboot ... but speaking as one of the stars from the OG flick, he sees some potential -- and even has his eyes set on who could play him in this new-gen version.

We got Kadeem in NYC Tuesday ... and he's got a reason to be timid about the new 'WMCJ" -- it's missin' Ron Shelton, the original film's writer and director, who's arguably the reason the movie's still big today.

But, there might still be hope ... the actor's been hearing good things about Jack Harlow, who's playing Billy Hoyle -- Woody Harrelson's role from 1992.

Kadeem puts it plainly -- the "First Class" rapper could be bringin' some serious flair to the new project.

He also knows who should be playing his role for the reboot -- RJ Cyler, or as Kadeem calls him, the "lightning with the blam blams" dude from Netflix's "The Harder They Fall."

Trippie Redd is currently spreading his sounds and touching his fans down under, and his Australian supporters are getting treated to new music before anyone else!!!

The "Love Scars" rapper/rocker packed out Melbourne streetwear boutique Culture Kings this week for a meet-and-greet -- finally getting a chance to connect with the people post-pandemic.

Fans in attendance got to see Trippie's multi-layered cool side ... he hosted a 3-point shooting contest, where the winner laid claim to precious store credit.

He even took time out to listen to aspiring rappers and treated the crowd to an unreleased track ... which we're told had everyone in attendance in a frenzy once they were getting exclusive stuff!!!

Trippie's in town for the Listen Out Festival ... with appearances in both Melbourne and Perth set for this weekend.

Dwight Howard tells TMZ Sports he's dead serious about his interest in joining the WWE -- explaining he'd trade the basketball court for the wrestling ring this year if the offer was right.

Howard showed back in July he certainly has the chops to cut it in the squared circle -- delivering an epic promo after crashing a WWE tryout in Nashville.

And, when we got him out at LAX this week, he made it clear that wasn't just a one-off thing ... telling us he really has a desire to eventually go head-to-head with Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley and the rest of the WWE's best in the near future.

In fact, Dwight said if the offer to wrestle in the WWE was better than one an NBA team could give him -- he'd have no qualms taking it.

"Whatever opportunity is best," the NBA free agent said.

As for what kind of personality Dwight would have in the org. -- he said he could be both a hero and a villain.

Triple H, meanwhile, seems to be down to give him the shot ... in a recent interview, WWE's CCO said all Dwight would have to do is give him a call and they could get things rolling.

“The ball’s in his court,” Triple H said ... "He came by our tryouts in Nashville, was incredibly entertaining, jumping in promos by himself and then with others -- incredibly entertaining."

The Celtics employee with whom Ime Udoka had an affair helped make all his travel arrangements ... and that job sometimes included organizing travel for his fiancee, Nia Long.

Sources connected to the couple and the NBA franchise tell TMZ ... one of the staffer's duties included planning Udoka's team-related travel, and we're told she was also involved in booking travel for Nia to come to Boston or to road games.

Perhaps most upsetting for Nia is that the employee had a hand in Nia's arrangements to move to Boston permanently, according to our sources.

TMZ broke the story ... Nia had just moved east a little over 2 weeks ago with Kez, her 10-year-old son with Ime.

The Celtics are not releasing the name of the employee, but we're told Nia has been told who she is.

Team President Brad Stevens got choked up Friday during a news conference ... saying the scandal had been particularly upsetting for all their female employees -- due to speculation about who had the affair with Udoka.

As we've reported, the team suspended its head coach for the entire 2022-23 season after what it says was a months-long investigation into his conduct.