NBA

Lance Stephenson says he knows firsthand how hard DeMarcus Cousins was working prior to his devastating ACL injury ... telling TMZ Sports he feels bad for Boogie, but knows he'll be back!!

Cousins injured his knee while playing in Vegas earlier this week after attempting a routine layup. He's expected to miss the entire season.

Lance -- who says he had been working out with DeMarcus this offseason -- says Cousins was in great shape and ready to make a huge impact in his first year with the Lakers.

"I know it's tough on him, that's my brother," Lance says. "I know he worked so hard this summer, I was working out with him in Las Vegas. I know he was very prepared for this season. It's just sad that he got hurt again."

Despite Cousins' 3rd leg injury in 3 years, Lance says he knows Boogie will eventually get back to 100% and do his thing on the court again.

Al Harrington was stopped by cops outside his Viola Brands office in Hollywood, and he claims race is the reason.

TMZ Sports got the whole thing on video ... you can see the former NBA star talking to cops, getting a ticket and returning to his (crazy) vehicle.

Of course we wanted to know what the fuss was all about, and asked Al what he did to make the cops stop him.

"Driving while black."

Get this, the whole thing happened steps away from Harrington's business headquarters. The interaction with the police seemed civil.

TMZ Sports has obtained video of DeMarcus Cousins' devastating ACL injury ... showing the NBA superstar screaming and falling to the court after attempting a routine layup.

The 29-year-old L.A. Lakers All-Star was practicing in Las Vegas on Monday ... when his knee gave out while driving to the basket.

Cousins could immediately tell something was wrong ... letting out a scream as he stumbled to the hardwood. The 6'11" center pointed at his right knee as help rushed over.

The other players are visibly upset as well.

It's gotta be frustrating for Cousins ... who tore his Achilles as a New Orleans Pelican in 2018, and tore his quad in the playoffs with the Golden State Warriors this past season.

Shams Charania reports Cousins underwent more testing on Thursday ... and it was confirmed he tore his ACL, which will likely sideline him for the entire season.

We're told Cousins had been balling a lot recently at the IMPACT Basketball training center -- where tons of pros like to go during the offseason.

The NBA community flooded social media with support for Cousins ... with players from Karl-Anthony Towns to Isaiah Thomas sending well wishes.

It took us a while to notice ... but Paul George is showing pride for his new NBA team ... rockin' Clippers shorts while snorkeling with his smokin' hot baby mama!!

Of course, PG13 just got shipped to L.A. to form a power duo with Kawhi Leonard last month ... and he's already donning the Clipper blue everywhere he goes -- including vacation in Greece!!

George's gorgeous lady, Daniela Rajic, posted vids of the couple enjoying a romantic trip this week ... including snorkeling, fine dining and jumping off the boat and into the water.

The views are incredible ... and yeah, Greece ain't too shabby either.

BTW, PG and Daniela have 2 baby girls -- Olivia and Natasha -- and have been together for years.

It's great to be George right now ... he's in the middle of a 4-year, $137 million deal ... and on top of that, he gets to go back to L.A. instead of OKC when the trip is over.

No, you're not looking at Ivan Drago ... you're looking at a totally shredded Kristaps Porzingis, who's clearly taking no days off during his time off the court -- 'cause the dude is JACKED.

The 24-year-old Dallas Mavericks star posted the gym pic to IG on Wednesday ... jokingly saying it's the angle that is making him look extra buff.

Of course, 7'3" KP tore his ACL as a member of the New York Knicks back in February 2018, and hasn't been on the court since ... but it looks like the dude has been living in the gym during recovery.

Just look at the difference between his rookie year in 2015 and the pic from today. Dude is yolked.

Draymond Green is praising the NCAA for backtracking on its controversial Rich Paul Rule ... telling TMZ Sports "they did the right thing!"

Earlier this week ... the org. reversed its new requirement for agents to have a bachelor's degree in order to rep college athletes looking to test the waters in the NBA Draft (while maintaining eligibility) ... after TONS of backlash.

We spoke with Day Day -- one of Rich's many NBA superstar clients -- about the move ... and it's clear he's in favor with the reversal.

"They did what was right. Rich applied that pressure to 'em, though!!" Green says.

Draymond doesn't think the initial criteria had anything to do with race ... but could impact people looking to follow the agent's footsteps.

NBA hooper Kelly Oubre Jr. and smokin' hot Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Jasmine Sanders are taking things to the next level ... hitting up a West Hollywood hot spot together and packin' on the PDA!!

There have been reports the 2 gorgeous humans have been dating recently ... and judging by these pics of them holding hands while leaving Bootsy Bellows, it's safe to say they don't care to keep things under wraps.

It's one of the hottest new couples as of late -- 23-year-old Oubre is one of the swaggiest athletes in all of sports ... and 28-year-old Sanders was voted SI's Rookie of the Year earlier this month.

No word on how they met, but considering the Phoenix Suns baller is big into fashion ... it seems like a perfect fit to get boo'd up with the model.

And, FWIW ... Oubre just signed a 2-year, $30 million deal a month ago ... so yeah, it's been a good off-season for the guy.

Kyrie Irving is getting a head start on building chemistry with his new teammates ... having a night out in L.A. with Caris LeVert and Taurean Prince ... and TMZ Sports has the vid!!!

The Brooklyn Nets trio hit up Wolfgang Puck's restaurant, Spago, in Beverly Hills on Monday night ... and everyone appeared to be in great spirits.

It should be encouraging to BK fans to see the NBA superstar hanging with his new guys, considering there were reports he wasn't getting along with his teammates in Boston ... and of course, there was a MAJOR falling out in Cleveland.

Lonzo Ball just got the COOLEST accessory to go along with his new Pelicans jersey this year ... a sleeve of tattoos of some of America's greatest heroes -- and the ink is INSANELY real.

The New Orleans star hit up Steve Butcher -- one of the best photo-realism tattooers in the world -- and the guy didn't disappoint.

Lonzo's new ink is a tribute to legendary African-American figures -- Barack Obama, Malcolm X, Jackie Robinson, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. -- and all the ink looks like it's PRINTED on.

The whole piece is capped off with Nipsey Hussle's famous motto, "The Marathon Continues," at the top of his shoulder ... and Butcher called it an "honor" to do the work on the point guard.

"Completed this sleeve this week on @zo !" Butcher wrote of the piece ... "Was an honor to put these influential people on your arm brother."

The new art has to be a refreshing feeling for the ex-Laker ... remember, he hasn't had the most success with tats in the past -- he just got his famous Big Baller Brand ink covered up a few months ago.

Doesn't seem that'll be a problem with these new pieces ... 'cause NBA fans all over are already LOVING the new look!!!

Ex-NBA star Sebastian Telfair has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years behind bars for possessing an illegal firearm in 2017 ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported ... the 34-year-old former high school phenom was busted back in June 2017 in Brooklyn .... after cops found an arsenal of weapons in his car during a traffic stop.

Officials say the former Trail Blazer, Celtic, Clipper and Timberwolf (to name a few) had 3 pistols and what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle.

Telfair was convicted of one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon back in April ... and was facing up to 15 years behind bars, so it could've been worse for the hooper.

Michelle Wie got hitched to an NBA legend's son over the weekend ... exchanging vows with Jonnie West at a star-studded ceremony in L.A.!!!

The golf superstar and Warriors Director of Basketball Operations -- who got engaged back in March -- tied the knot in front of their closest family and friends, including tennis pro Genie Bouchard and fellow golfer Danielle Kang.

"MR. AND MRS. WEST Y’ALL!!!!," Michelle said in an Instagram post. "I love you HUSBAND with every living thing in my body and I didn’t think I could love you any more, but then I saw you at the end of the aisle and my heart exploded."

Best part of the whole shindig??? Wie's dad straight-up GETTING it on the dance floor at the reception.

Rich Paul is finally addressing the NCAA's new agent criteria that's been dubbed the "Rich Paul Rule" ... saying the new requirements have NO impact on his business ... but could prevent people from following in his footsteps.

The NBA super agent published an op-ed in The Athletic on Monday ... breaking down the new policy (which requires a bachelor's degree to rep players testing their NBA waters without losing eligibility) and explaining how it hurts anyone trying to be the next Rich Paul.

"NCAA executives are once again preventing young people from less prestigious backgrounds, and often people of color, from working in the system they continue to control."

"In this case, the people being locked out are kids who aspire to be an agent and work in the NBA and do not have the resources, opportunity, or desire to get a four-year degree."

Paul DOES agree with 2 of the 3 requirements ... saying he supports requiring 3 years of experience and a written test in order to represent players testing the market.

"However, requiring a four-year degree accomplishes only one thing — systematically excluding those who come from a world where college is unrealistic."

Paul suggests the NCAA work with aspiring agents with a one-year program or mentorship, instead of rejecting them completely.

"The barriers to entry for the next Rich Paul are already high enough."

Damian Lillard isn't forgetting about his day job in the NBA, because championships are still his focus ... but says he'd definitely be stoked to win a Grammy for his 3rd album.

Dame just dropped his 3rd album, "Big D.O.L.L.A." and the early reviews are good ... so good that some people are saying the NBA star has a shot at rap superstardom.

So, when we talked to Dame we had to know how far he wants to take this rap thing ... and if he cares about the accolades that come along with it .... like a Grammy.

"I don't care about it maybe to the level I care about being the MVP or winning a championship."

So, there you have it Trail Blazers fans ... you can breathe, Dame isn't going anywhere. He did point out though, that he thinks he has a chance to do something no other hooper has, and that intrigues him.

"I care about in the sense that how many NBA All-Stars or max contract players can say, 'I legitimately won a Grammy.'"

None that we can see ... but if we're being real, none have been as good as Dame. The man's gotten props from some huge names in hip-hop, and is widely regarded as the best pure rapper the league has ever produced.

Question is now ... how does he get to the Grammys?

Some people are BIG MAD about the NBA 2K20 player ratings ... but the face of the mega-popular game series says the haters are WRONG!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with Ronnie Singh -- AKA Ronnie 2K -- about players like Jayson Tatum and others (as well as their fans) being upset with their ratings ... and he insists they hit 'em right on the money.

"It's such a cool point of contention," Ronnie says. "Everybody's worried about their ratings. It's very cool that the NBA players care so much."

Tatum recently talked about his 85 rating, calling it "disrespectful" ... and other fans are saying LeBron James shouldn't be the highest rated player (tied with Kawhi Leonard at 97).

NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is fitting right in at his new home ... telling TMZ Sports he loves Oklahoma ... and he's already linkin' up with his new teammate, Chris Paul!!!

Of course, 21-year-old SGA was shipped off to OKC in the blockbuster trade that paired Paul George with Kawhi Leonard in L.A. last month ... but the 2nd year pro seems excited for his fresh start, to say the least.

We asked how Oklahoma's been treating him so far, and he said "beautiful!!"

There have been rumblings that CP3 wouldn't ever play a minute for OKC after he was traded from Houston in exchange for Russell Westbrook .... but that hasn't stopped the superstar from taking SGA under his wing and shelling out some solid advice.

Ex-Michigan State basketball star Mateen Cleaves says he DID have sex with the woman accusing him of rape ... but he's adamant the encounter was 100% consensual.

The 41-year-old -- who was the 14th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft -- appeared in court in Flint, Michigan for opening statements in his trial ... where he is facing multiple felony charges.

As we previously reported, the accuser claims Cleaves took her to a motel in 2015 and held her there against her will. She claims Cleaves forced himself on her and raped her.

The woman told officials she managed to escape from the motel room and got help from someone nearby.

But, during Thursday's hearing, Mateen's attorney told the 14 people in the jury box that the woman is distorting the truth ... claiming her decision to have sex was "of her own free will."

The attorney suggested she had regretted her decision after the fact -- but told the jury, "Regret is not rape."

"By the time the truth comes out, the truth will set my client free," the attorney said according to DetroitNews.com ... "The truth will be there; the truth will be self-evident."

Prosecutors are painting a different picture ... acknowledging the woman voluntarily went to the motel with Cleaves following a golf tournament where they had met hours before ... but claim she made it VERY clear she did not want to have sex.