Golden State Warriors

Matt Barnes took a surprise shot to the stomach on his way into a NY courthouse Friday morning -- when a process server cut him off at the pass and smacked him with a lawsuit over his nightclub brawl.

The Golden State Warriors player had a scheduled hearing to take care of his misdemeanor assault citation from the Dec. 5 incident at Avenue nightclub ... in which he was accused of fighting two people in the V.I.P. section.

Barnes has said he only acted in self defense -- but the alleged victims filed a civil suit against Matt and DeMarcus Cousins demanding serious cash for their injuries.

The process server from PM Legal knew Barnes would be at court -- and came prepared. Barnes brushed off the documents and continued to walk into the courtroom.

Inside, Barnes went through a security check before facing the judge. His case was pushed back until June.

Kevin Durant's gotta get healthy if Golden State wants to win an NBA championship ... 'cause it ain't happening without him, so says Warriors legend Rick Barry.

KD's out "indefinitely" after spraining a ligament in his left knee during Tuesday night's loss to the Wizards. The team announced they'll reevaluate Durant in 4 weeks ... but there's no chance he plays before.

FYI -- the NBA playoffs start in 6 weeks.

So, can the 50-10, 1st place GSW win without their leading scorer?

It ain't looking good ... according to longtime Warrior and HOFer Rick Barry.

"I would think the chances are diminished considerably [without Durant]. I don't think they would have an opportunity to do it without Kevin Durant because he is such an integral part of their success so far this season."

But if they already won a 'ship without KD in '15 ... why can't they do it again?

Kevin Durant will face hatred of LEGENDARY PROPORTIONS when he returns to OKC to face his old team Saturday night ... with Kenny Smith saying the crowd is going to destroy him!

It's KD's first time playing in OKC since defecting for the Golden State Warriors -- and Smith says there's NO CHANCE the fans are gonna let him off the hook easy.

Kenny says it's gonna be even worse than when LeBron returned to Cleveland after taking his talents to Miami.

Russell Westbrook was PISSED at the Golden State Warriors after Wednesday night's game -- vowing revenge on Zaza and apparently telling teammates to stay away from "bitch ass" Kevin Durant.

The game wasn't exactly the friendliest -- with Zaza Pachulia knocking Westbrook to the ground at one point and standing over him in a menacing way.

After the game, Russell went off to reporters saying, "I'm gonna get his ass back. Straight up."

He added, "I don't know when it's gonna be. But I don't play that game."

There's more ... now video has surfaced from the moments the game ended appearing to show Russell telling teammates to not talk to a certain "bitch ass."

According to multiple reports, the "bitch ass" in question is KD, though it's impossible to tell from the clip alone.

Interesting note ... Westbrook says he and Durant are NOT on speaking terms.

Yes he can.

Steph Curry paid tribute to his favorite president Monday night ... rockin' a special pair of Obama-themed Curry 3 sneakers to play the Cavs ... complete with #44's signature on the bottom!

Steph and Barack have been tight for years -- and the Golden State Warriors star felt MLK Day was the perfect occasion to honor the first African-American POTUS.

The shoes are dope -- red, white and blue in color with the presidential seal and #44 on the tongue ... along with the words, "Back2Back."

It seems to be a reference to the 2 terms B.O. served as Commander-In-Chief.

Curry also tweeted about the kicks, "Honoring our President Barack Obama today on court! He embodies the inspiration, faith & hope Dr. King stood for! We R Forever Grateful! #44."

FYI, Curry dropped 20 in the Warriors 126-91 domination of LeBron James and the Cavs.

Golden State Warriors players and coaches have stepped up to donate $75,000 to the Oakland fire relief efforts ... just days after a deadly warehouse blaze took the lives of 36 people.

Steph Curry, Draymond Green and fellow Warriors teammates made a brief PSA at practice asking fans to contribute to the cause.

"We're all devastated by the recent Oakland fire that claimed so many lives and affected so many others," Curry says. "As players, we are joining forces to make a donation to the relief efforts."

The donation comes on top of the organization's $50,000 contribution to relief efforts announced last Saturday.

Klay Thompson's 60 point explosion didn't go unnoticed by his NBA pops ... who says he was awestruck watching his son burn the Indiana Pacers Monday night and filled with fatherly pride.

TMZ Sports spoke with Mychal Thompson -- Klay's dad and a former #1 pick in the NBA Draft -- to get his take on KT's historic shooting ... where he scored 60 points in just 29 minutes of play.

"I was in awe and amazement, like any fan would be ... he should proud of himself."

Mychal was no slouch when he played, winning two championships with the Showtime Lakers and making the all-rookie team ... but says Klay has already surpassed his career in just his 5th season.

Strip away the superteam. Kevin Durant would still DOMINATE Russell Westbrook if they took it to the park ... that's according to Tracy McGrady.

In the wake of Thursday night's Warrior-led ass-kicking, McGrady told TMZ Sports it would be even worse if the two ex-teammates went mano-a-mano.

"Come on. Is that even fair? Durant's 7-foot bro!"

Laugh all you want ... but one of the BIGGEST hair stylists in Hollywood just gave JaVale McGee a huge thumbs up for his bizarre new haircut.

We spoke with Ken Paves -- the hair guru for the likes of David and Victoria Beckham, Eva Longoria, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez and more -- and showed him the 'do McGee rocked during the Warriors preseason opener.

Bottom line -- HE LOVES IT.

Beckham ... you're next?

Klay Thompson must be sooooo mad right now ... 'cause he's like the only Warrior that HASN'T hit the stage with Drake in Oakland. KD was Tuesday ... and Wednesday night? STEPH & DRAYMOND.

Drake is in Tha Town for the Summer Sixteen tour with Future and continued his trend of bringing local sports stars onstage to drive the crowd wild.

He did it in NY with Derrick Rose, in Ohio it was LeBron, and now he's attempting to get the whole Warriors roster up on the stage in NorCal ... by splitting the stars up over two nights.

Kevin Durant got a huge ovation at his new home stadium Tuesday night -- when Drake brought out the Warriors star at his concert at Oracle Arena ... and praised him as his "brother."

Drake is a huge Toronto Raptors fan -- and even works for the team -- but he's clearly got love for the Golden State Warriors superstar.

In fact, he recently shouted KD out on "Weston Road Flows" -- a track on his album "Views."

Kevin Durant's giant tattoo shout-out to Rick James isn't sitting well ... with Rick James' son.

We got rapper/singer Taz James outside the Mondrian Hotel, and while he respects KD's homage ... Taz points out KD never made a call. As he put it, "You gotta get permission big boy!"

Seems like he's mostly joking, but the not-so-funny part is Taz keeps referring to his friend, "Brandon" ... aka Lil B... and his curse.

Watch ... Taz has a plan to make it all good again.

The guy behind the Kim Kardashian sex tape says he wants a piece of Draymond Green -- saying he was so impressed with Dray's monster penis, he's offered the guy a 6-figure porn deal!

Draymond Green will be off the hook in his bar fight case ... if he can keep his nose clean for a year ... because the NBA star just struck a plea deal with prosecutors.

Green was arrested for assault on July 10th after allegedly striking a college football player in the face outside of a Michigan bar. He was facing more than 90 days in jail if convicted.

But now, Green has reportedly cut a deal ... in which he agreed to pay a $500 fine and $60 in jail restitution AND he must stay out of trouble for a year. He also isn't allowed to contact the victim.

If he does all of those things ... the charge will be reduced to a civil infraction ... so he won't have a misdemeanor on his record.

We spoke with Asst. City Attorney David Meyers who tells us Draymond got NO special treatment.

Draymond Green spent some quality time in Vegas with his brand new Golden State teammate, Kevin Durant, over the weekend ... and it was all thanks to Carmelo Anthony.

Of course, the guys also happen to be on Team USA together -- along with DeAndre Jordan, DeMarcus Cousins, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry -- and 'Melo organized a dinner for the team.

The squad was all in Vegas gearing up for Monday's first official practice (the team's home base is Sin City) -- but got together at the Wynn Sunday night for a fancy welcome dinner hosted by Carmelo and his friends at Haute Time.

We're told hotel owner Steve Wynn couldn't make it -- but sent one of his favorite magicians to entertain the guys. You can see in the pics they all seem to be havin' a good time.

By the way, big smiles on Draymond Green's face the entire evening -- seems he ain't too worried about that whole assault case in Michigan.

Steph Curry can't stop taking 3s even while on vacation in Maui.

He's on break after losing the NBA championship to Lebron and the Cavs, but still has the Warriors on his mind ... just check out the jet ski.