NBA

Rapper Jack Harlow says he was NOT hanging out with Lou Williams on Thursday ... claiming he has nothing to do with the Clippers star leaving the NBA bubble.

The 33-year-old L.A. hooper reportedly left the Disney campus this week due to "excused personal reasons" ... but is expected to rejoin the team at a later date.

The whole thing seemed pretty normal -- considering several players have left the bubble for a number of reasons in the past few weeks -- until the "What's Poppin'" rapper posted an IG Story with Williams.

"A location U would never guess," Harlow captioned the pic ... tagging Williams.

Harlow quickly deleted the pic ... which led people to speculate if he accidentally got the Sixth Man of the Year in trouble.

But, Harlow tried to clear the air on Friday ... saying the pic was old and he was just missing his buddy.

"That was an old pic of me and Lou. I was just reminiscing cuz I miss him," Harlow said.

What makes things even more bizarre -- Harlow deleted that tweet minutes later.

So ... what the hell is going on?? Is Harlow trying to cover his tracks, or is it all a misunderstanding??

Either way, the Clippers have lost several guys -- including key players like Montrezl Harrell and Patrick Beverley -- with the season restart quickly approaching on July 30 ... so it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Story developing ...

The NBA bubble can't stop Winnie Harlow from showing love for her man, Kyle Kuzma, on his 25th birthday ... she just wrote the Lakers forward a mushy message and shared a steamy pic!!

The 25-year-old supermodel posted the shoutout on IG on Friday ... saying, "Happy birthday, (Kyle) ❤️ blessed to know your beautiful heart and soul."

Of course, Harlow and Kuz can't be together to celebrate ... as he's currently stuck on the Disney campus in Orlando.

"Endless hours of quarantine FaceTimes and now I’m hooked," Harlow said.

"Thank you for helping me step out of my comfort zone, then making me comfortable outside of my comfort zone."

"Thank you for making me smile everyday, wiping my tears, and pushing me to be my best," Harlow says, "Thank you for your energy king, it’s only up from here lol💋"

We broke the story ... the two first met at the Harper's Bazaar party during NY Fashion Week back in Sept. ... and things clearly heated up quickly -- they're already dropping L-bombs!!

"I love you babe," Harlow says, "have an amazing day today and kill it at work young lion🦁🔥"

And if that wasn't enough -- Harlow hired a plane to fly across the Disney campus with a special birthday message so Kuz -- and the rest of the NBA -- could see how much she loves him!!

Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers has left the NBA Bubble in Orlando due to an "urgent" family matter ... but plans to rejoin the team soon, according to reports.

The 27-year-old shooting guard left Orlando Friday and expects to return "sometime this weekend," The Athletic's Shams Charania says.

Of course, Rivers will have to quarantine for 10 days before he can re-enter the bubble ... as part of the league's strict safety protocols.

As we previously reported, Rivers' teammate, Russell Westbrook, tested positive for COVID-19 before the NBA restart and quarantined before joining the team in Orlando this week.

Rivers joins Pelicans superstar rookie Zion Williamson and Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell ... who also recently left the bubble due to family matters.

Rivers -- the son of L.A.'s Clippers coach, Doc Rivers -- is averaging 8.7 points per game, shooting at 41% from the field.

No word on if coach will be leaving the bubble as well.

The Lakers made their return to the court for the first time in 135 days on Thursday ... but LeBron James had more important things to discuss afterward.

"First of all, I want to continue to shed light on justice for Breonna Taylor and to her family and everything that's going on with that situation," James told the media after a scrimmage against the Dallas Mavericks.

"We want the cops arrested who committed that crime."

James -- along with the rest of the NBA -- is pushing for social justice during the league's return to play ... especially for Taylor, who was killed by 3 Louisville police officers in her home in March.

"As one of the leaders of this league, I want her family to know, and I want the state of Kentucky to know that we feel for her and we want justice. That’s what it’s all about. What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong."

As we previously reported, Taylor's family is well aware of the advocacy led by the NBA superstars ... and Breonna's mother told TMZ Sports she is grateful for their actions.

"Everyone raising their voices for justice are what keeps this family going each day," Tamika Palmer told us.

LeBron -- who etched ""#Justice4BreonnaT"" on his sneaker for Thursday night's scrimmage -- also weighed in on Black Lives Matter ... clarifying it's not a movement, but a lifestyle.

"When you're Black, it's not a movement," James said. "It's a lifestyle. We sit here and say it's a movement, and, okay ... how long is this movement going to last?"

"'Don't stop the movement.' ... No, this is a walk of life. When you wake up and you're Black, that is what it is."

WHOOPS!!!

J.R. Smith says he only brought 7 pairs of underwear for his time in the NBA bubble ... and he's VERY QUICKLY realized that's nowhere near enough!!

"I figured I'd be good for once a day," J.R. told Spectrum SportsNet this week. "But then I didn't calculate all the showers in between everything that I've been doing."

The new Los Angeles Laker says between golf, basketball and other daily activities ... he's going through undies like crazy -- and it's starting to become a real issue!!

"I've been running through (pairs) in like 2 or 3 days!" J.R. said.

The good news? Smith says the NBA is providing excellent laundry service ... so it doesn't seem there's been any unnecessary re-use -- yet.

Begs the question ... how can Smith not somehow score an extra bag of Hanes in Orlando?!?!

LeBron James and the Lakers are finally back on the court Thursday night ... and MAN, THIS DUDE IS PUMPED TF UP ABOUT IT!!!

It's been 135 days since we've seen the Purple & Gold in action thanks to the COVID-19 shutdown ... and the King has been champing at the bit to return to work.

The Lakers have a scrimmage (yes, we're this stoked about a game that doesn't even matter) against the Dallas Mavericks at 7 PM ... which is the first bit of action before the season returns July 30.

But, for LeBron?? This ain't no scrimmage.

"Let’s Get It!! We back at it tonight," LBJ said on IG. "Can’t wait and it’s just a scrimmage. Not to me though."

Of course, LeBron is jumping back into his quest for a 4th ring ... and the Lakers (currently 1st in the West) are poised to make a run at the title.

"Championship mindset at all time!! 🤷🏾‍♂️👑. #RevengeSeasonContinues😤 #ThekidfromAKRON🤴🏾"

Bron's excitement is GREAT news for Laker fans ... not so much for the Mavs.

Richaun Holmes is revealing the meal that made him risk it all and leave the NBA bubble ... saying he was craving some delicious chicken wings!!!

Remember, the Sacramento Kings forward/center was forced back into a 10-day quarantine in Orlando earlier this month ... after he stepped off the Disney campus to pick up a food delivery.

The 26-year-old is back with the team after doing his time ... and he's breaking down the moment he messed up and popped the bubble.

"I ordered some food, ordered some wings and went to grab the wings and I wasn't really too aware of the borders," Holmes said.

"I stepped out, grabbed the food and came back and they just let me know they want me to be as safe as possible and had to enforce the rules and I completely understand that."

"Won't make that mistake again."

Of course, the league is taking the bubble VERY seriously ... which has resulted in ZERO new positive COVID-19 tests over the past week.

Holmes says he spent the 10 days working out and doing sprints in his room ... even using a punching bag to get out his aggression.

But, the REAL question is ... were the wings worth it?!?!

Tristan Thompson might've shown his cards on where things stand with Khloe Kardashian -- putting his L.A. mansion on the market.

The NBA star just listed his Encino mansion for a cool $8.5 million -- $2M more than what he paid a year ago after the Jordyn Woods drama -- and it might very well be the sign he and his baby mama are officially back together.

These digs are top-notch, BTW -- kind of the ultimate bachelor pad for the rich and famous type. It's an almost 10,000 square foot farmhouse style home with 7 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, with all the bells and whistles of luxury you might expect from a home like this.

It comes with a pool, an outdoor kitchen with a bar, a spa, a foyer, a marble fireplace, a separate fire pit, a home movie theater, a twirling staircase, a guest house out back with two bedrooms of its own -- yeah, like we said ... it's got the works as far as nice stuff.

Tristan swooped the place up last summer following a tumultuous breakup with Khloe after she accused him of cheating (again) with Kylie's former BFF. It wasn't too far from her in Calabasas either -- remember, they share a daughter, True, whom they co-parent.

Keep in mind ... they've been spending an awful lot of time together during quarantine -- and they're not hiding the fact they've been hanging out ... especially around True.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are hitting the market ... and none other than NBA legend Kevin Garnett is part of an investment group gunning to buy the team.

Billionaire owner Glen Taylor -- who has owned the team since 1995 -- confirmed Tuesday he's listening to offers to sell the team ... saying he is "seriously considering" all his options, according to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania.

KG -- the best T-Wolves player of all time -- is part of a group of investors who are "seriously interested" in placing a bid for the team, the report says.

Remember, Garnett absolutely HATES Taylor ... and it stems from a promise he made with the late Flip Saunders about taking a front office or ownership role with the team.

KG says the businessman broke his promise after Saunders died by bringing in Tom Thibodeau instead ... and brought up his issues with the owner back in April.

"I don’t do business with snakes," KG told Shams at the time. "I don’t do business with snake motherf***ers. I try not to do business with openly snakes or people who are snake-like."

Of course, Taylor had intended on putting KG's #21 up in the rafters at the Target Center ... which the hooper rejected until Taylor was no longer owner of the team.

Depending on who gets the team ... it may be time for that ceremony after all.

L.A. Lakers guard Alex Caruso -- a fan favorite -- decided to skip his sister's wedding to stay inside the NBA bubble ... all because he didn't want to let down his teammates.

Alex's older sister Megan was set to tie the knot on July 18 at an indoor venue near Austin, Texas ... with more than 100 people scheduled to attend.

Alex says he's super tight with his sister --- telling ESPN, "Megan is as close to my No. 1 fan as anyone could get."

Obviously, Alex WANTED to go to the wedding -- and explored all of his options ... including renting a private jet to travel and finding a "safe house" away from the rest of the guests to sleep after the event.

But, Caruso says he began to realize it wouldn't just be a quick trip -- since he's already inside the bubble, he would need to be re-cleared for entrance into the Walt Disney World environment in Orlando ... a process that could take up to 14 days even if he tested negative for COVID.

Caruso says he ran the idea by his Lakers bosses and teammates -- including LeBron James and Anthony Davis -- and everyone was on board with his plan to go.

But, then ... a change of heart.

Alex says the two superstars "helped me realize how important I am to what we are trying to do here" -- win a championship.

And, with teammates Avery Bradley (opted out) and Rajon Rondo (hand injury) not available for the NBA restart ... Caruso ultimately decided he was too valuable to the team.

"If I was on a team that didn't have title aspirations -- a team trying to hold on to the No. 8 seed or something -- it might have been different," Caruso said ... "But we have worked too hard."

Caruso decided to stay in the bubble -- and people at the wedding later sent him video so he could watch the event after the fact.

Probably for the best ... since Caruso says only about 75% of the guests wore masks -- and it sounds like there was high risk of exposure!

Now, Caruso and the Lakers can continue to focus on the NBA restart -- which tips off July 30.

NY Knicks player Taj Gibson is stepping up to help finance the funeral of Davell Gardner Jr. ... after the 1-year-old boy was tragically shot and killed in Brooklyn last week.

Gardner was shot around 11:30 PM on July 12 when two gunmen opened fire on a family barbecue at the Bedford-Stuyvesant playground. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died a short time after.

Gibson -- who also organized a peace walk against gun violence in Bed-Stuy after Gardner's death -- will pay for the pay the funeral and wake, a rep for the NBAer told the Brooklyn Paper.

The report also says the 35-year-old will work through his Taj Gibson Foundation to provide Gardner's family with additional financial support while dealing with the tragedy.

Gibson has been vocal against gun violence in his home city ... and uses his charity to help provide "resources and inspiration to the youth of New York City to help keep them healthy and to help them reach their full potential in life," according to its website.

The NBA courts for the 2020 season restart have been revealed ... and, as promised, feature a massive "Black Lives Matter" paint job front and center.

The league and the NBPA came up with the idea to display the message at all 3 arenas used inside the bubble ... as a way to show solidarity with the social justice movement.

Along with the BLM paint ... the sideline benches have been spread out to provide 6-feet of distancing for team staffers and players as a form of precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of course, commish Adam Silver previously suggested banning several coaches -- including Mike D'Antoni (69) and Gregg Popovich (71) -- from the sidelines due to their age ... but eventually scrapped the idea.

The NBA's set-up also features huge video boards and its "Whole New Game" slogan for the restart.

While no fans will be able to attend games, at least players have the chance to fill up some seats.

Senator Ted Cruz is doubling down on his attack of Mark Cuban and the NBA -- claiming the league SAYS it's all about social justice ... until it comes to China.

"When it comes to communist China, [the NBA makes] a crap ton of money from China so they silence everybody," Cruz said ... "They're not willing to say a word."

Cruz is referring to the NBA's 2019 dust-up with China -- when the country blackballed the league because Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey dared to tweet support for protestors in Hong Kong.

Cruz thinks the NBA doesn't really care about freedom or free speech -- because its leadership and top players have not publicly criticized the injustice in China the same way they've rallied together for social issues in the U.S.

"Show me an NBA player who's allowed to put 'Tiananmen Square' on the back of his jersey, then I'll be impressed with their commitment to free speech."

Cruz says Cuban's decision to stick up for his players -- while dismissing fans who are offended by the anthem protests -- is wrong and disrespectful.

"The answer is for the NBA to show one, one-billionth of the spinal fortitude they show kissing up to and apologizing for communist China."

Cruz -- wearing a Houston Rockets mask -- also said straight-up the anthem kneeling protests are disrespectful to police and military members ... despite people like Colin Kaepernick explaining it's only meant to spotlight social injustice and police brutality.

And, Cruz issued this warning to Cuban and the rest of league ... if you ignore anti-kneeling fans, you're going to pay the price.

Breonna Taylor's mother tells TMZ Sports ... she's VERY aware of the NBA and WNBA stars who are constantly keeping the spotlight on her daughter's killing -- and she's hoping it finally leads to justice.

"Everyone raising their voices for justice are what keeps this family going each day," Tamika Palmer tells us.

"What is being done by the NBA and the WNBA is amazing. Now, it’s time for the attorney general to listen, to charge everyone responsible for Bree’s murder and to get overdue justice."

"Bree should be with us. The world was a better place with her."

Tamika is specifically referring to pro ballers like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Tobias Harris, Dwight Howard, Kyrie Irving and more who have spoken out publicly to put pressure on Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron to charge the police officers who shot and killed Breonna in March while executing a no-knock warrant.

In the WNBA, the entire league is wearing warm-up shirts with Breonna's name as a tribute.

And, get this ... Tamika was also involved in a zoom call over the weekend with more than 30 NBA players, according to family attorney Lonita Baker ... who tells us they all spoke about how to continue to use their platform to get results.

We're told Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony were just 2 of the players on the call -- and at one point, CP3 discussed how players were considering not playing this season to keep the focus on social justice issues.

Major news coming from the NBA on Monday -- the league announced there have been ZERO new coronavirus cases in Orlando since July 13.

Which means .... THE BUBBLE IS WORKING!!!

The Association says it tested all 346 players who are currently on the Disney World campus ... and each result came back negative.

Of course, the NBA has proven it ain't messing around when it comes to following the strict guidelines ... and even made Sacramento Kings player Richaun Holmes re-quarantine for 10 days after accidentally crossing the campus border to pick up some delivery food.

Some players like Memphis Grizzlies rookie star Ja Morant have expressed their displeasure with the league implementing a "hotline" to report people violating the bubble protocols ... saying it comes off as snitching.

But, hey ... ya can't argue with the results!!

It's gotta be a sigh of relief for Adam Silver and co. ... who hope to tip off the 8 regular season play-in games starting July 30.

Well, this is nuts ...

Mark Cuban and Sen. Ted Cruz are calling each other out about everything from the NBA's handling of anthem protests to China ... but the focus seems to be on who's got the bigger balls.

It all started when a radio talk show host from Texas tweeted at the Dallas Mavericks owner that if any of his players kneel during the national anthem when the season resumes next week, he won't support the team anymore.

Cuban responded -- "Bye" ... adding, "The National Anthem Police in this country are out of control."

"If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why they don't play the National Anthem every day before you start work."

That's when Ted Cruz chimed in ... saying, "Really??!? NBA is telling everyone who stands for the flag, who honors our cops and our veterans, to 'piss off'? In Texas, no less? Good luck with that."

Cruz didn't tag Cuban in his tweet -- and Cuban called him out for it ... saying, "Have some balls for once @tedcruz. Speak to me. It's my tweet."

That's when Cruz replied with another BALLS shot!

"Speaking of balls, tell us what you think about China. I’ll wait."

Of course, Cruz is referring to the NBA's massive problems with China in 2019 -- after Houston Rockets G.M. Daryl Morey tweeted out support for protesters in Hong Kong.

China essentially blackballed the NBA over the tweet -- and the league is still reportedly scrambling to smooth out its relationship with the country.

So, Cruz decided that's where he'd focus his attack on Cuban on Monday morning.

"Let’s try simpler. Mark, tough guy, can you say 'Free Hong Kong'? Can your players put that on their jerseys? Can you condemn the CCP’s concentration camps w/ 1 million Uyghurs? Can you say ANYTHING other than 'Chairman Mao is beautiful & wise'?"

Nothing back from Cuban yet -- but guess you could say the ball's in his court????