Basketball

2:27 PM PT -- Tributes for Bill are pouring in from all over the world -- and, former President Barack Obama even posted in his honor -- remembering Bill as a grinder on the court and for his wonderful spirit off it.

Bill Walton -- the NBA legend who delighted fans for decades both on the court and in the commentary booth -- has died, according to the NBA.

The league put out a press release Monday morning announcing the sad news ... saying Bill passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family when he passed.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remembers Bill as a dominant force on the court and a colorful personality off it ... while also lauding Bill for his positive, upbeat personality at league events.

Travis Kelce got an unwelcome welcome at Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals ... some pretty thunderous boos!!!

Travis and teammate Patrick Mahomes were sitting courtside when they were shown on the video board and announced. Travis got some cheer, but lots of boos, and he seemed a bit taken aback, but still smiling.

Then his QB was announced, and the reception was way friendlier ... lots of cheers and PM stood up to hype up the crowd. Brittany was sitting by his side, basking in her hubby's glow.

Steph Curry may be known for sinking threes ... but, ya gotta think four's his new favorite number -- 'cause he just announced the birth of his fourth kid!

The Golden State Warriors star took to Instagram to tell his followers he and his wife Ayesha added a little one to their roster ... posting a black and white photo of what looks like his hand wrapped around his baby boy's tiny arm.

Curry says his son decided to come a little earlier than expected ... adding he was born May 11 before noting he's happy, healthy and settling into their new family of six.

JJ Redick is a legit candidate for the Lakers head -- despite never having spent a minute on the bench -- and Byron Scott isn't sold on the idea quite yet!

The 3x NBA champ and former longtime NBA head coach talked to TMZ Sports this week about Redick -- a 15 seasons NBA vet -- and the prospects of him landing one of the most coveted jobs in all of sports ... L.A. Lakers head coach.

"It's hard jumping in that seat as a first-time head coach," Scott said.

Fill in the gravesite and call off the funeral ... Adam Silver says despite all the perception of doom and gloom surrounding the NBA's current negotiations with TNT -- the talks between the sides are NOT dead yet.

The Association's commissioner made it clear while outside of Thursday's White House state dinner in D.C. that he and his org. are still very much open to getting a new deal done with TNT -- this despite reports the parties are far off.

Silver didn't elaborate on where exactly each side is ... but he said, "We're all still talking."

Stan Van Gundy is going scorched earth on The Worldwide Leader ... after the network unceremoniously dumped his little brother Jeff Van Gundy after nearly two decades with ESPN, and he's PISSED!

Jeff -- an NBA head coach for 11 seasons (Knicks, Rockets) -- worked for ESPN for 17 years until he was laid off last summer.

JVG has largely been quiet about the shocking move ... but, not so much for his brother Stan, who aired out his frustrations on Dan Le Batard's "South Beach Sessions" show.

Angel Reese was ridin' high after an impressive win against Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty on Thursday ... and the WNBA star decided to take a shot at Caitlin Clark -- before deleting it.

But, nothing gets by the internet!

The 6-foot-3 forward celebrated the statement win by tweeting ... "And that's on getting a WIN in a packed area not just cause of one player on our charter flight. #SKYTOWN."

An eventful Thursday full of some of the biggest stories in entertainment ... and, TMZ's got you covered with the best clips from our day in television.

On "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles look at Cassie breaking her silence over the video of Diddy assaulting her in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.

Josh Giddey is now in the clear ... months after police closed their investigation into allegations the Thunder star had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl -- the NBA has followed suit.

Sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski the league made the decision to officially wrap up its probe into the claims this week.

No further explanation from the Association was given.

Charles Barkley is giving his blunt reaction to the rumors surrounding the future of "Inside The NBA" ... admitting morale is at an all-time low amid reports the show is on life support.

The rumors have been swirling for weeks -- TNT is on the verge of losing its broadcast deal with the Association to NBC ... which, as a result, would mean the end of the wildly successful basketball program starring Chuck, Ernie Johnson, Kenny "The Jet" Smith and Shaquille O'Neal.

Barkley opened up about the situation on "The Dan Patrick Show" Thursday ... and he certainly didn't sugarcoat anything -- but admitted even he has been left in the dark.

Charles Barkley unloaded on Caitlin Clark's detractors on Wednesday night ... calling them all "petty" -- while urging them to be grateful for everything she's already brought to the WNBA.

The Hall of Famer went on the rant during a segment on "NBA on TNT" ... after trolls -- including some who actually work in the W -- expressed displeasure with all the attention the Indiana Fever star has garnered through her first month in the league.

The Round Mound of Rebound's rant lasted about a minute -- and his message was loud and clear ... stop hating!!!

Victor Wembanyama might be the biggest nerd on the planet -- literally -- 'cause the 7-foot-4 NBA superstar was just spotted shopping for Pokémon cards and Manga books at a San Antonio store!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Spurs center visited Heroes & Fantasies -- a collectibles shop some 20 minutes away from the Frost Bank Center -- on Tuesday night in search of adding to his personal collection.

The store's vice president, Adam Conley, says Wemby arrived just before close ... and was "super friendly" as he looked at everything from Pokémon to Magic: The Gathering.

We've got some juicy TMZ TV hot takes that are sure to get you through this hump. So, settle in!!!

First up, on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles discuss 50 Cent's new Diddy docuseries ... which officially has a new home at Netflix.

WNBA star Cameron Brink is waiting by the phone to get a call from the folks at Sports Illustrated ... revealing she'd love the opportunity to pose for the publication's famous swimsuit issue!!

The L.A. Sparks rookie -- who recently graced the cover of SLAM -- joined Paul George's "Podcast P" show this week ... and early on in the episode, she shared her wish list of other mags she'd love to work with in the future.

Brink initially explained ESPN's Body Issue would be right up her alley ... saying it's a cool way for jocks to show off the physiques they work so hard to achieve.

Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever team is off to a slow start -- and some fans are already hopping off the hype train -- but not LeBron James ... who says he knows exactly how the star hooper feels, 'cause he's been in her shoes!

James and (maybe future head coach) JJ Redick spoke about Clark and the expectations surrounding the WNBA rookie -- who despite averaging 17 points a game -- has received a crapload of criticism ... and Bron knows what it's like.

"I think for my advice to Caitlin, and my advice to anyone coming in with this level of notoriety, 'out of this world' expectation -- be a horse," James said on the "Mind the Game" podcast on Wednesday.

College basketball star DJ Burns Jr. has gone through a shocking body transformation after becoming a March Madness sensation this year ... reportedly losing 45 pounds in a matter of weeks -- and no, it's not a result of Ozempic.

The N.C. State big man -- who led the Wolfpack to a Final Four appearance just two months ago -- has been training like crazy leading up to the NBA Draft ... with Shams Charania stating the hooper shed some serious weight over the past six and a half weeks.

Shams broke it down on FanDuel TV ... saying Burns looked "totally different" when they met up at the prospect's pro day in L.A. this week.