Basketball

One of the biggest questions leading up to the next NBA season has been answered -- will Bronny James call LeBron "dad" when they share the court?? And from the King himself, the answer is HELL NO.

Now that his oldest son is his teammate on the Lakers, the four-time champion ended the speculation on how the work relationship will play out ... especially when it comes to how the rookie will address him.

"No, he can't [call me dad]," 39-year-old LeBron said on the upcoming episode of "The Shop" on Uninterrupted. "Cannot call me 'dad' in the workplace. Once we leave out the private facility and the gates close, I can be 'dad' again."

Phoenix Mercury hooper Sophie Cunningham channeled her inner "Love Island" contestant prior to Monday night's game ... rocking a tiny dress and showing off her tan lines!!

The team's social media accounts highlighted the 28-year-old's wardrobe choice ... leaning into the fact she would fit right in on set of the popular dating show.

"this week a hot new bombshell enters the villa," the Mercury said on X alongside a slo-mo video of Cunningham's entrance.

Caitlin Clark fans had a collective panic attack last night ... after the Indiana Fever star went down with a scary ankle injury.

Thankfully, CC insists she's okay!

The scary moment happened during the first quarter of the Fever-Dream game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Monday ... when the No. 1 draft pick rolled her left ankle playing defense.

The 6-foot rookie guard immediately crumbled to the ground, holding her ankle, clearly in serious pain.

The music video for Lil Wayne and Flau'jae Johnson's new single dropped on Monday ... and the visuals are giving some serious LSU vibes -- from coach Kim Mulkey to the NCAA championship trophy!

The LSU hoops star premiered the project on her X page ... and thousands tuned in to see what she came up with for her "Came Out A Beast" track with Weezy.

In the intro, the point guard shows a glimpse of her day job -- playing basketball with her Tiger teammates and getting a pep talk from Coach Mulkey.

NBA star Aaron Gordon will honor his late brother every time he steps on the court ... making the move to change his jersey number as a special tribute to Drew.

The Denver Nuggets forward -- who previously wore No. 50 -- will sport No. 32 this upcoming season ... the same digits Drew had during his own career.

Drew played professionally overseas (where he won the Italian Cup) and in the G-League ... and made nine appearances with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014.

Bronny James couldn't help but show love under Parker Whitfield's new social media post on Sunday ... dropping a flirty comment in the replies for all to see.

James and Whitfield first sparked dating rumors when they were spotted at the Paris Olympics together earlier this month ... with the two catching LeBron and Co. during their epic gold-medal run.

If making an international trip to France wasn't telling enough, Bronny's latest Instagram activity pretty much confirms they're an item.

To those hating on Bronny James, John Salley's got a message for y'all -- pipe down!!!

The former Lakers center defended LeBron James' son and L.A.'s decision to pick him up in June's NBA draft this week ... saying straight up, all of the teenager's detractors are simply "mad they didn't think of it or do it" themselves.

"Listen," the four-time NBA champion told TMZ Sports out at LAX. "If my dad had the power, if my dad was the leading scorer, if my dad was able to take a pay cut so I could get a check -- it's like no other business."

Caitlin Clark was on the receiving end of a sick alley-oop from Erica Wheeler ... 'cause the WNBA star rookie just got an iced-out diamond chain from her teammate's jeweler -- and it's dope!!

A while ago, Wheeler -- who signed a multiyear deal with the Fever in 2023 -- shared a video on social media showing off a diamond-filled chain and pendant featuring her jersey number.

Clark -- who was right beside her -- said she wanted one, too. So, Wheeler made a call to her jeweler, the GLD Shop, to hook her friend up ... and they delivered!!

Justin Bieber, Lil' Wayne, and Snoop Dogg have done it ... and when boxing legend Floyd Mayweather finally returns to the ring for his scrap with John Gotti III on Saturday, there will be no lack of star power -- Anthony Edwards and Anthony Davis will accompany TBE to the squared circle!

TMZ Sports has learned Edwards and Davis, NBA superstars who just won gold medals as a part of Team USA in Paris, will be in Mexico City (Money got a heroes welcome!) on August 24 for the event.

Of course, Mayweather, 50-0, and Gotti III, an MMA fighter turned boxer, previously fought in June 2023 ... but the bout was called in the 6th round after all hell broke loose in and outside the ring.

Adam Sandler's proving he's still got the moves on the court -- 'cause he showed off his basketball skills in NYC Thursday -- weeks shy of his 58th bday.

The actor-comedian hit a court in New York to play a quick game of pick-up with some other guys hanging around the area ... most of whom look a great deal younger than the Sandman.

Sandler's not risking muscle injury though ... spending some time stretching before he got out on the floor and showed the kids who's boss.

12:33 PM PT -- Welp. It turns out Pitino was in a joking mood following the burglary ... 'cause he's now saying he did NOT lose a pricey bottle of juice in the process.

"The 1985 Petrus was a joke🤣🤣," Pitino said minutes ago. "I would never keep that on my desk! Saving that one in a wine cellar to open after the Johnnies go to the final four!"

Very funny, Coach. Very funny.

Rick Pitino is PISSED after a couple of crooks allegedly broke into his St. John's office and jacked some of his keepsakes ... mostly because the haul included a bottle of wine that comes with an eye-popping price tag.

Two men found their way into the legendary coach's Carnesecca Arena quarters around 6 PM on Tuesday ... and snagged "various items" before fleeing the area on a moped, NYPD said in a statement.

According to the NY Post ... $375 in goods -- including memorabilia, a sword, mask and bottles of alcohol -- were taken during the heist. When Pitino broke his silence on the burglary on Thursday, he explained he didn't really care too much about the memorabilia ... but the booze?? That's a different story.

Al Attles -- a longtime member of the Golden State Warriors organization -- has passed away, the team announced Wednesday. He was 87 years old.

According to the organization, he died surrounded by his family in his East Bay home.

Nicknamed "The Destroyer," Attles spent his entire professional career with the same team -- being drafted to the Philadelphia Warriors in 1960. On March 2, 1962, he shared the court with Wilt Chamberlain when the center dropped 100 points -- contributing 17 of his own.

The college basketball world is celebrating the birthday of a March Madness icon ... but it's not a player or a coach -- it's Loyola Chicago's very own Sister Jean!!!

The famous chaplain for the Ramblers men's basketball team is enjoying her 105th trip around the sun on Wednesday ... and she looks great!!

While she only became a household name following her Ramblers' upset win over Miami in the 2018 NCAA tournament, Sister Jean has been a mainstay on the university's campus for years.

Angel Reese x Reese's is officially official!

The WNBA star and the popular candy co. have finally teamed up ... and are now bringing fans a limited-edition collection of jerseys, outerwear and more.

The collection is awesome, it features custom tees, hoodies, cropped shirts and hats that all feature peanut butter cups and Angel insignia.

If Kamala Harris takes down Donald Trump in November's election, Steve Kerr says he's going to rip a page out of Steph Curry's playbook -- and wish Trump, "Night, night!"

The Golden State Warriors head coach threw out the trolling vow on Monday evening at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago -- where he helped Michael Jordan and the Bulls win a slew of NBA Championships a few decades ago.

Kerr stood at the podium for nearly 10 minutes ... and raved over Harris and her pick for vice president, Tim Walz.

Patrick Beverley is gearing up for another basketball season -- but, not in the United States -- the longtime hooper touched down in Israel where he was greeted by a bunch of passionate fans!

The 12-year NBA vet, after spending some time in Bulgaria, landed in Israel where he'll join his new squad, Hapoel Tel Aviv, for training camp.

Check it out, the fans in Tel Aviv couldn't be happier to welcome their newest addition -- greeting him at the airport with a big celebration.