Basketball

Boston radio host Fred Toucher delivered the worst on-air eulogy ever, calling Bill Walton a "phony hippie" and making a joke about his death, just a day after the legendary hooper-turned-broadcaster passed away ... and suffice it to say, many people are pissed!

Walton -- a College and Basketball Hall of Famer, and, when healthy, one of the most unstoppable big men to ever lace up a pair of sneakers -- died at the age of 71 after battling cancer.

Most people, especially in the cities where Walton played, were in the mood to remember Bill ... just not like this.

NBA coach James Borrego is certainly taking a liking to Los Angeles lately ... popping up in town amid reports the current New Orleans Pelicans assistant is a lead candidate for the Lakers' job opening.

The 46-year-old landed at LAX on Tuesday ... and cameras were quick to ask him if he was taking a business trip -- specifically, one that could result in him donning the Purple and Gold next season.

Borrego was tight-lipped on everything ... but his presence could mean the Lakers are close to making him an offer, as outlets stated the team already had a formal interview with the former Hornets head coach.

Bronny James is done playing college basketball ... his agent, Rich Paul, said Tuesday the 19-year-old is staying in this year's NBA draft class.

LeBron James' kid had until Wednesday night to make the decision ... but Paul told ESPN the former USC star's mind is already made up.

"He's staying in the draft," Paul said.

Two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas says he had a terrifying experience over the weekend ... when he and his friends came face-to-face with a kid wielding a gun -- and he believes his fame very well might have saved his life.

The Phoenix Suns guard opened up about the encounter on X ... saying it was a truly "life changing moment."

He claimed his group was out and about in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington on Monday -- when they were approached by a kid carrying an AK-47.

The beef between Celtics fans and Kyrie Irving is back, full throttle ... Boston fans chanted 'F*** Kyrie' as they celebrated their NBA Finals berth in the city streets!

Mind you, Irving and the Dallas Mavericks haven't even advanced to the NBA Finals yet, but being up 3-0 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, they're advancing to the Finals, barring a historic collapse.

So, Celtics fans know more than likely their 18th championship will have to go through Kyrie and the Mavs ... thus the shade-throwing at their former star guard.

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis took their tykes out for their first major event -- a debut of sorts -- and turns out the little ones are carbon copies of their parents!

Check out the rare public snaps of 9-year-old Wyatt and 7-year-old Dimitri ... who joined their A-list parents courtside over the weekend for the L.A. Sparks WNBA game against the Indiana Fever and their superstar rookie Caitlin Clark.

It's clear who the fam was rooting for ... Ashton rocked a University of Iowa hat -- a nod to the college he and Clark both attended -- while his look-alike son sported an Iowa Hawkeyes sweatshirt.

The Boston Celtics paid tribute to the late Bill Walton right after securing their spot in the NBA Finals ... with team owner Wyc Grousbeck honoring the NBA great during their post-game celebration.

The Cs finished off the Indiana Pacers with a 105-102 victory in Game 4 on Monday ... and when Grousbeck received the Eastern Conference Finals championship trophy, he acknowledged the tragic loss that was announced hours prior to the matchup.

"All I can think about right now is we lost a great Celtic today," the entrepreneur said during the ceremony. "Bill Walton, one of the greatest Celtics of all time, this is dedicated to Bill."

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.