Dwight Howard On Lakers Drama ... 'It's Just Business'

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PART OF THE GAME
TMZSports.com

Ex-Lakers player Dwight Howard doesn't think the drama in LakerLand is a big deal -- in fact, he thinks it's all being blown out of proportion because "it's just business."

We got Dwight leaving Catch in West Hollywood over the weekend -- and had to ask him if saw any Lakers front office dysfunction during his 1 season stint with the team in 2012-13.

"It's part of basketball," Howard told us ... "It's just business. Not drama. It's just business."

In other words, Howard doesn't seem too shocked by the situation in L.A. -- almost like he's seen stuff like this with other organizations too and Dwight would know ... he's played for 6 teams.

We also asked Howard about the back injury that sidelined him for most of last season -- and he told us things are on the upswing.

"It's solid. I'll be good ... just continue to get right."

Howard only played 9 games this season before undergoing season-ending spinal surgery to relieve pain in his glutes.

He's only 33 years old and recently exercised his option to play another season with the Washington Wizards.

Blac Chyna No Evidence She Brandished Knife In Fight with Hairdresser

There's no clear-cut evidence Blac Chyna was wielding a knife when she allegedly threatened her hairdresser.

Sources close to the case tell TMZ ... no witnesses have come forward backing the hairdresser's claim Chyna went after her with a blade. Nor does the surveillance footage we obtained from that night show a knife.

It's possible the alleged knife appeared off-camera -- but, again, zippo from witnesses.

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SHOE SNAFU
TMZ.com

TMZ broke the story ... BC and her hairdresser got into a heated argument earlier this month at Chyna's San Fernando Valley home. The hairdresser filed a police report, and BC appeared as a named suspect for assault with a deadly weapon.

For her part, Blac Chyna insists she's the victim, not the aggressor ... and claims her Rolls-Royce was damaged when the hairdresser started hurling soda cans during the altercation.

Chyna might be S-O-L too ... our sources say there's no way of proving the damage to her car came from soda cans being thrown.

Fact is ... neither woman's got evidence to help 'em prove a case.

Still, law enforcement sources tell us the case will be submitted to the L.A. County District Attorney -- but for now it's a she said-she said sitch.

T.I. Carries Nipsey Hussle's Torch ... To Most Powerful Dome in U.S. of A.

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NIPSEY'S LEGACY LIVES ON
TMZ.com

"Mr. Harris Goes to Washington" ain't a classic film but the purpose of T.I.'s trip to D.C. was classy ... to carry on the work of the late Nipsey Hussle.

We got T.I. on Capitol Hill where he attended a meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus as it tries to jumpstart incentive investment in low-income communities. It's a meeting Nipsey was scheduled to attend before he was gunned down in the neighborhood in which he himself heavily invested in ... Crenshaw.

Check out the vid ... T.I. tells us Nipsey invited him to this meeting and explained why he was there on his behalf. Our camera guy tells T.I. he might have to work with President Trump, whom he's beefed with in the past. T.I. says it's not about Democrats or Republicans ... it's about people.

Jordyn Woods London's Sure More Welcoming than Calabasas

Jordyn Woods and her mother, Elizabeth, surfaced for the first time since Kylie Jenner said her former BFF really "f***** up."

Jordyn and Elizabeth were leaving a London hotel Saturday night, looking kinda stoic. The Kardashian sisters went in on Jordyn in a big way for the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" promo. It was emotional and sure felt real.

Kylie recently let Jordyn back into her guesthouse to move out her belongings, which seems to be the final chapter, at least for now.

Jordyn's been in London several times recently to promote her Eylure lash line. She's also hawking a clothing line.

Life goes on.

Bucks Owner’s Daughter Epically Trolls Drake ... Rocks Pusha T-Shirt

5/24 -- Drake is surely not one to let a diss go unnoticed, the rapper responded to Edens' T-shirt with a social media shout-out.

The "Nice for What" rapper changed his Instagram profile picture to a photo of the model and wrote on his story, "All is fair in war and war and trust me I'll still get you tickets to ovo fest."

The Milwaukee Bucks are firing back at Drake in the most awesome way — hitting him where it hurts ... Pusha T.

Mallory Edens, the daughter of Milwaukee Bucks owner, Wes Edens, is sitting courtside with Aaron Rogers for game 5 ... and she’s wearing a freakin' Pusha T shirt.

Of course, Drake and Push bad MASSIVE BEEF last year ... with each hip-hop star dropping super personal diss tracks about the other.

It got heated.

So, why the shot at Drake?

Remember, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks were PISSED at Drizzy after game 4 in Toronto — where the Raptors ambassador roamed the sideline, taunted MIL’s players.

Bucks coach, Mike Budenholzer, was hot at Drake’s antics ... saying, "There's certainly no place for fans and, you know, whatever it is exactly that Drake is for the Toronto Raptors.”

Now that the series is back in Milwaukee ... Mallory — a model — fires back with King Push.

This is The Story of Giannis.

Originally published -- 5/23 6:51 PM PT

Ex-'Love & Hip Hop' Star Hazel-E I'm Not Gonna Fight City Girls' Yung Miami ... We Lost Nipsey to 'Ignorant Stuff'

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CHILL OUT, KIDS
TMZ.com

Hazel-E is taking the high road in her simmering beef with City Girls rapper Yung Miami ... the ex-'Love & Hip Hop' star says she wants their feud to stay on diss tracks, instead of turning violent.

Hazel, one of Katt Williams' ex-GFs, tells TMZ ... she's not about to start throwing hands with Yung Miami, because she's too grown for barbaric problem-solving. She also points out the music industry already lost Nipsey Hussle to what she calls "ignorant stuff."

Their beef started this week after Hazel accused the City Girls rapper of jacking some of her beats -- and once YM started calling her every name in the book ... Hazel unleashed a vicious diss track.

Yung Miami responded with a not-so-friendly invitation for Hazel to come meet her in the 305, so they could settle things with their fists.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Even with all the heated trash talk, Hazel says she won't be drawn into a fight because it won't solve anything. She thinks musical beef is the better option ... that way everyone can profit.

Hazel did take some shots though when we spoke to her, and threatened to sue Yung Miami for stealing music.

Smell that??? Fresh beef on the grill.

Kylie Jenner Jordyn 'F****d Up' ... Khloe Breaks Down on 'KUWTK'

Kylie Jenner reveals her feelings about former best friend Jordyn Woods -- she done f****d up in the Tristan Thompson cheating scandal.

It's not just Kylie on the upcoming "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" ... you see and feel the torment Khloe Kardashian went through as you hear her primal screams over Tristan's tryst.

It's all pretty tense and emotional, from the phone call that starts, "I don't even know if I should tell you this" ... to Khloe breaking down and Kris addressing the fallout in Kylie and Jordyn's relationship.

There's also an apparent rift between Kendall and Kourtney.

As we told you ... Kylie recently cleared her home of all things Jordyn, when she finally got her ex-BFF to come get her stuff out of the guest house, where she was living up until the scandal broke. The duo were inseparable for years before the scandal.

The 2 have managed to remain amicable, though ... but this clip might just rip the scab off the healing wound.

Keith Thurman Calls Out Conor McGregor ... 'Box Me, Baby!!!'

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BRING IT ON, CONOR!
TMZSports.com

If Conor McGregor wants another crack at a top flight boxer, Keith Thurman says he's ALL THE WAY DOWN -- telling the Irishman straight up, "Box me, baby!!"

Of course, Thurman -- the WBA super welterweight champ -- is gearing up to face Manny Pacquaio on July 20 ... but says he's heard about Conor's desire to get back in the ring and wants that fight!

"You know you make more money in the boxing ring anyway. Box me, Conor!"

Thurman's not kidding ... he watched the McGregor vs. Mayweather fight back in 2017 and sees major holes in Conor's fight game.

"[In boxing], the advantage is do you have skills with the left? Do you have skills with the right? Do you have footwork? And, one thing [Conor] doesn't have is conditioning! He does not have conditioning. He is not ready for these championship fights."

"Floyd walked him down and beat him like he was playing 'Fight Night!'"

Thurman continued ... "He wanna talk that trash?! He wants to think actually got hands? Come on, man."

McGregor recently told Tony Robbins he wants a rematch with Floyd Mayweather because he's learned so much from the first fight and KNOWS he could get a win.

No response yet from Floyd ... but Keith says once he gets through Manny, he's ready to make the McGregor fight a reality.

Hayden Panettiere's BF Charged w/ Felony Domestic Violence

10:20 AM PT -- Hickerson appeared in court this morning and pled not guilty to the charge. His bail was set at $50k. The judge also issued a protective order that prohibits Hickerson from being 100 yards near Panettiere or contacting her. He'll be back in court next month.

Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend is in serious trouble following his arrest for domestic violence ... 'cause TMZ's learned he's now facing a charge that could land him in prison.

The L.A. County District Attorney's Office has charged Hayden's BF, Brian Hickerson, with 1 count of felony domestic violence. If he's convicted, Brian faces up to 4 years in prison.

TMZ broke the story ... Brian was arrested earlier this month after an argument with Hayden allegedly turned physical. As we told you ... the couple had been out drinking before an argument ensued at their pad. Law enforcement sources initially said the injuries were marks and redness, but we're now told the injuries were far more serious.

Cops arrested Brian almost immediately after the altercation after determining he started the fight. Hayden and Brian have been dating since last summer.

Originally Published -- 12:20 AM PT

'Little Women: LA' Star Has to Doggy Paddle for Life!!! After Poolside Argument

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IN HOT WATER
Lifetime

"Little Women: LA" star Christy McGinity got a sad double whammy courtesy of her costar, Tonya Banks ... who metaphorically threw Christy under a bus, then literally into a swimming pool.

Christy and Tonya got into a heated argument after Tonya yapped to all their castmates that Christy was NOT gonna make it to Jasmine Sorge's vow renewal ceremony.

This, of course, pissed off Christy because she didn't get to break the news privately to Jasmine -- and instead was totally embarrassed in the middle of Jasmine's bachelorette party.

Check out the clip ... Tonya was NOT having it and you can pretty much guess what happens next. The scene will play out in Thursday's episode. We'll just say this ... doggy paddle + unicorn horn = hilarious. Every time.

It's been a tough year for Christy, who has also had to deal with drama from her estranged hubby. It was a simpler time in 2018 ... when Christy and Tonya went from upgrading their lady parts to getting in the middle of a massive fooooooood fiiiiiiiiight!!!

Wendy Williams Son Arrested for Punching Father

11:02 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Wendy's son, Kevin, was arrested for assault. Now it makes sense why Kevin Sr. said he was not interested in pursuing the matter legally.

10:49 AM PT -- Sources with knowledge of the argument say Kevin Sr. has urged his son for a long time to carve his own path to success. We're told things bubbled over Tuesday night when the conversation continued, and Sr. told Jr. he needed to work hard on his own and without Wendy's handouts.

10:15 AM PT-- Kevin Hunter tells TMZ, "I love my son very much and I will not be pursuing this matter legally. Things are not always how they appear."

Wendy Williams' estranged husband, Kevin Hunter, and their son, Kevin Jr., got in a fight early Wednesday morning and police were called ... sources tell TMZ.

We're told the incident went down at a store parking lot near the family home in New Jersey. Sources connected to the family tell TMZ, Wendy took 18-year-old Kevin Jr. to the home ... he was there to pick something up. Wendy left and was coming back a short time later to pick him up.

We're told Kevin Jr. did not know his dad was in the house, but we're told everything was cool between them and they ended up going to a store together just after midnight.

We're told ... in the store parking lot, they got into an argument over Kevin's demand for spousal support. Kevin Sr. then launched and claimed Wendy was "brainwashing" their son against him.

Our sources say it got physical when Kevin Sr. allegedly put his son in a headlock, and we're told Kevin Jr. punched him in the nose to break the hold.

Cops have confirmed to TMZ they are investigating "an incident" between Kevin and Kevin Jr.

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FINALLY FREE
The Wendy Williams Show

As you know, Wendy filed for divorce in April after it came to light Kevin Hunter had a baby with another woman. He was later fired from her talk show.

Originally Published -- 9:58 AM PT

Boxer Danny Garcia's GF Knockout Buns in Puerto Rico

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ACTING CHEEKY

Bet you wish you were Danny Garcia right now.

The superstar boxer and his smokin' hot baby mama, Erica Mendez, are having the time of their lives out on vacation in Puerto Rico ... dancin' it up and putting it on display for all to enjoy.

And, yeah ... we're enjoying it, alright.

FYI -- Swift and the singer/model have been dating for years and have one child together.

But, it was Mom and Dad having all the fun on Wednesday ... showing off some serious moves to "Ella Quiere Beber" by Anuel AA and sippin' on some drinks.

Garcia (35-2) served up a knockout win in his last fight against Adrian Granados, but it's Mendez servin' up the KO looks this time around.

So, sit back and enjoy, wherever you are, and live vicariously through these guys. They're doing it right.

Deontay Wilder Responds To Tyson Fury ... Remember When I KO'd You?!

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COUPLA SCREWS LOOSE
TMZSports.com

There will be no Tyson Fury nut sucking from Deontay Wilder ...

Just hours after the Gypsy King said Wilder can "suck my nuts" ... the Bronze Bomber responded to TMZ Sports -- saying Fury's trash talk is weak, considering Wilder KO'd him in their last fight!!!

"I gave him a memory loss to the point where he don't know how he got on the ground, nor do he know how he got up!"

The two are back trading barbs once again now that Wilder is looking for another opponent after beating Dominic Breazeale's face in over the weekend.

Fury told us Monday he's ready for a rematch, saying he'll take on Wilder anytime, anywhere.

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ANY PLACE, ANYTIME
TMZSports.com

But, when we got Deontay out in NYC ... he didn't seem so sure he wants that to be his next fight ... telling us his no. 1 goal is to be the UNDISPUTED heavyweight champ of the world.

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THE UNDISPUTED CHAMP
TMZSports.com

Of course, that would require Wilder to fight Anthony Joshua next -- something both sides clearly want, but have failed to properly negotiate.

Either way, if stalled talks mean we get more trash talk between Fury and Wilder ... we're here for all of it!!!

Dwyane Wade On Paul Pierce: 'I Won't Put Another Black Man Down'

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NO HATE, ALL RESPECT
TMZSports.com

How does Dwyane Wade REALLY feel about Paul Pierce saying his career was better?

"I'm a high road kind of person ... I won't put another black man down."

Wade couldn't have been more respectful to the longtime Celtics star when we spotted him and Gabrielle Union leaving Blue Dog Beer Tavern in L.A.

"He's an amazing player. I have a lot of respect for him," D-Wade added -- "I'm gonna clap when he goes in the Hall of Fame."

Of course, the Paul Pierce vs. D-Wade debate began back in April when Pierce appeared on ESPN and was asked if he thought he had the better career.

"That’s easy, I can say that off the bat, that’s me,” Pierce said. "I’m 24 or 25 and you give me [LeBron James] and [Chris Bosh], I’d be sitting on five or six championships easy."

Heat fans didn't like Paul's comments -- and busted out a "Paul Pierce sucks" chant at Wade's final home game in Miami.

There's more ... we also asked Wade what his plans are after basketball -- and he told us he's gonna be a "kept man" for a while Union brings home the bacon!

"She got it," Wade said with a smile.

Union gave her husband some credit -- noting he made some money during his long NBA career ... "He sold those fouls for 16 years! He did very well for himself!"

Conor McGregor Wants Mayweather Rematch ... 'I Know I Would Win!!!'

Conor McGregor says he wants another crack at Floyd Mayweather -- and with all that he's learned from their first fight, McGregor says he's 100% confident he would get that WIN!

"I would like to rematch him under boxing rules, again," McGregor said to Tony Robbins during a recent interview ... "and I believe I would win."

"Actually, there I go again with that fake humbleness ... I KNOW I WOULD WIN!"

Yeah, you can hear it in his voice ... McGregor really wants this.

Of course, Conor first fought Floyd back in August 2017 -- with Floyd beating on Conor so badly in the 10th round, the referee stopped the fight.

But, Conor didn't see the bout as a one-sided massacre ... he thinks he was WINNING early on.

"When I went into the fight in the early rounds I was WHOOPING him in the early rounds," Conor said ... "I went back to my corner after the 1st round and I said, 'This is easy!'"

But, Conor says Floyd switched up his style -- going from a "back-footed," defensive approach to a more aggressive "Mexican style."

Conor says the switch shows how talented Floyd is ... but now Conor says he can prepare better for that alternative style and crush Floyd in a rematch.

"He never fought like that in his entire career, but he was forced to fight that way because he was getting beaten," Conor said.

"The approach caught me off guard. I was not prepared for it, I was not used to it ... and he walked me down and end up getting the stoppage."

Conor says Floyd originally agreed to fight McGregor in an MMA match after the boxing event -- but Conor says, "I haven't heard from him since!"

Floyd has been taking exhibition fights ever since racking up his 50th pro victory ... but will a rematch with Conor pique his interest in a comeback?

Stay tuned ...

Sage Northcutt Cheek Shattered Into 30 Pieces ... Says Urijah Faber

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TOOK IT LIKE A CHAMP
TMZSports.com

Sage Northcutt's fight injuries were worse than initially reported -- he didn't just suffer 8 fractures in his face, but his cheek shattered into 30 different pieces ... according to his coach, Urijah Faber.

As we previously reported, Northcutt suffered major damage Friday when he was knocked out by Cosmo Alexandre during his ONE Championship debut in Singapore ... and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

"Dude got his face blasted, man," Faber said ... "His cheek shattered like an eggshell."

Faber says Northcutt described the pain as "40 times worse than any pain I've ever felt."

Sage went under the knife over the weekend -- requiring doctors to access the wound through 4 entry points ... including his hairline, mouth and eye.

You gotta listen to Faber describe the procedure -- it's gnarly.

The good news ... Sage is in good spirits and he's already talking about setting up his next fight.

There's also this ... Faber said Northcutt was battling injuries going into the fight and probably should have pulled out rather than fighting a killer like Alexandre at less than full strength.