Basketball

Pat Riley is putting an end to all the speculation Jimmy Butler is up for grabs ... releasing a statement to flat-out say the Miami Heat are not trading their superstar player.

The declaration comes in the wake of a report from NBA insider Shams Charania, who claimed the six-time All-Star was hoping for a change of scenery before the February trade deadline.

Charania also fueled chatter when he claimed the team was warm to the idea of shipping him elsewhere earlier this month ... which led Butler's reps to fire back with a passionate denial.

Not only do LeBron and Bronny James rock the same uniforms on the court, they have identical threads off it, too -- 'cause the Lakers' father-son duo threw on some matching pajamas for Christmas with the whole family ... and the pics are adorbz!!

On the heels of his 31-point performance in the Purple and Gold's big win over the Warriors, King James shared a glimpse of his family's holiday festivities ... which included Mom and Dad wearing red jammies as they posed in front of a beautifully decorated tree with their three kids.

20-year-old Bronny and 17-year-old Bryce had big smiles on their faces ... so even though some kids their age would roll their eyes, they were good sports about it all.

LeBron James wants the NFL to stay in its own lane ... saying even though he loves his football as much as the next person, the league needs to leave the Christmas entertainment to the NBA.

King James made the declaration in his on-court interview following the Los Angeles Lakers' thrilling 115-113 road win over Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday ... hours after the NFL's two games were completed.

Despite the Shield's matchups involving some of the biggest athletes in the league like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry -- as well as performances from Mariah Carey and Beyoncé -- the football action wasn't nearly as exciting  ... as neither contest was competitive.

Actor Kusem Goodwind says being involved in the LeBron James-produced "Rez Ball" movie was the ultimate honor ... praising the Lakers superstar for giving Native Americans the spotlight with the film.

Goodwin portrayed Nataanii Jackson in the sports drama released in September, which followed a Native American high school basketball team competing for the state title after losing its star player.

Goodwin tells TMZ Sports he felt a deep sense of pride acting in the project ... especially because it highlights Indigenous athletes and brings attention to their experiences like never before.

NBA superstar Joel Embiid was ejected from a game Monday night ... after he relentlessly screamed in the face of a female ref.

The unnerving scene went down in the second quarter of the 76ers' tilt with the San Antonio Spurs ... after Embiid was whistled for an offensive foul.

The Philadelphia big man, wearing a mask to protect a sinus injury he suffered earlier this month, was so livid over the call, he raced to Jenna Schroeder and began melting down. He yelled at the woman repeatedly -- at one point getting mere inches from her nose.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis is being sued by a woman who claims the ex-NBA star screwed up her business deal with Chris Brown, TMZ Sports has learned.

According to court documents we obtained, the lawsuit was filed on Friday in Los Angeles by a pharmaceutical scientist, Dr. Lyndsey White, who says after she initially got involved in a barbeque sauce venture with Davis -- and things went south in a hurry.

In her suit, White claims she and Davis agreed in April 2021 to create "Big Baby Q" BBQ sauce ... and then, a short time later, she says she gave Davis a $30,000 loan to get into a weed business together as well.

Dwight Howard is off the market ... because he's engaged to rapper Amy Luciani.

The pair went public with their relationship Friday and it looks like they've been together for a while ... because they're already engaged.

Amy posted video showing their sparkling, diamond engagement rings on social media ... and the footage shows Dwight admiring Amy's bling as they party in a nightclub.

Don't hang Angel McCoughtry's jersey in the rafters just yet ... the 5x WNBA All-Star tells TMZ Sports she's looking to make a comeback to the league she starred in for a decade, and she feels as good as ever!

"It's comeback season," McCoughtry told Babcock on Friday.

Angel, who is now 38 years old, last played in the league two seasons ago for the Minnesota Lynx ... however, she only played a few games. Over the course of her stellar career, AM's averaged nearly 19 points a game.

7:50 PM PT -- Diddy's attorneys tell us, "As we've said before, Mr. Combs cannot respond to every new publicity stunt, even in response to claims that are facially ridiculous or demonstrably false. Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone -- man or woman, adult or minor."

 Diddy is facing a new rape allegation, one that dates back to before he was famous ... and the alleged victim says it went down during an already infamous NYC event.

The accuser, who's filing as a Jane Doe, says she was attending a December 1991 charity basketball event at the City College of New York, which was co-sponsored by a then up-and-coming producer, Sean "Puffy" Combs.

She and a friend were invited by an unnamed rapper set to appear at the event, she claims in the lawsuit -- when she and her friend arrived, she says the crowd outside was large and getting unruly, and she convinced a security guard to let her and the friend in early.

LeBron James' daughter is just like her NBA superstar pops on the court -- 'cause Zhuri is proudly repping the same number he's notably worn over the years for her volleyball team ... and he couldn't be more proud!!

The Los Angeles Lakers champ shared photos of 10-year-old Zhuri in her City Volleyball Club gear on Friday ... while sharing a special message wishing her the best of luck in the upcoming season.

"🥰🥰😍😍🤎🤎🤎 YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!" LeBron said in the IG caption. "LET'S GO BABY Z!!"

Dennis Rodman's bad dad apology to his soccer star daughter Trinity fell flat ... with the Olympic gold medalist calling the mea culpa a "joke," and declaring she's done trying to fix her relationship with her pops.

The drama came to a head earlier this week when the Washington Spirit forward appeared on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast and called out her absentee father, accusing him of only showing up for PR stunts.

"He's not a dad," Trinity said. "Maybe by blood, but nothing else."

Karl-Anthony Towns' return to Minnesota was interrupted by a couple of models who stormed the court in the middle of the game ... and as it turns out, this wasn't their first time causing chaos at a sporting event in the past week.

The moment went down two minutes before halftime on Thursday -- after the Knicks called for a timeout, two women in white jerseys bolted from their good seats and attempted to sprint onto the hardwood.

TMZ Sports has learned the ladies in question are Toochi Kash and Amberghini -- the same pair who rushed the field at Levi's Stadium when the San Francisco 49ers hosted the L.A. Rams.

It wasn't quite the Malice at the Palace, but fists were nearly flying during the Pistons vs. Jazz game in Detroit, with Jordan Clarkson and Ron Holland squaring up to fight during the game!

The altercation occurred Thursday night during the 3rd quarter of the Jazz vs. Pistons game at the Little Ceasars Arena (The Palace of Auburn Hills was demolished in '20) ... when Pistons center Paul Reed bumped and shoved Clarkson while running up the court after a layup, which Jordan didn't appreciate.

Reed's teammate, 19-year-old Holland, then stepped to Clarkson ... and both guys squared off, just feet from one of the referees.

Dennis Rodman is apologizing to his estranged daughter Trinity -- writing a lengthy and emotional social media post -- after the U.S. soccer star went on a podcast and blasted her pops for being an absent dad.

"I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time," Rodman said in the IG post.

"I’m always here and tell you all the time rather it’s your voice or voicemail how proud I am. I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me."

Damian Lillard is having a solid week -- not only did his Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, it is now being reported he has agreed to a lifetime extension with Adidas.

According to ESPN, the 34-year-old reached the deal after his most recent contract with the company expired last offseason.

Lillard -- who signed with the organization in 2012 -- will now join an exclusive list of athletes who have a lifetime shoe endorsement ... including Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

File this under the easiest decision ever ... the Iowa Hawkeyes announced they will retire Caitlin Clark's iconic number 22 jersey next year!

The school dropped the announcement Wednesday, saying the ceremony will take place during the team's matchup against USC on February 2 (2/2), playing off the number worn by Clark during her four years at IU.

"I'm forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball," Clark said in a statement. "It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni."