NBA

Nikola Jokic's 53-point masterpiece Sunday night was somewhat overshadowed ... the Nuggets' superstar had a heated exchange with a "fan," who turned out to be Suns' owner Mat Ishbia.

Ishbia was sitting along the baseline for Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals game between the Nuggets and Suns ... when things got testy in the second quarter.

Suns forward Josh Okogie was trying to gain possession of a loose ball when he flew into the area where Ishbia was sitting, prompting Mat to check on his player. The owner was holding the basketball.

Jokic sprinted over to Ishbia and tried to take it from his arms, but the Suns' owner wasn't giving it up, which clearly ticked Nikola off.

As Jokic tries to get the ball back from the 43-year-old billionaire, the two-time MVP nudges him with his left forearm, prompting an exaggerated flop from Ishbia, who fell backward in his seat.

Fortunately, officials quickly intervened and were able to separate everyone ... however, Nikola was slapped with a technical foul for "deliberately" making contact with Ishbia.

Ishbia reportedly told the Associated Press at halftime that he was more concerned with the outcome of the playoff game than the incident with Jokic.

"The fan put a hand on me first," Jokic told reporters after the game. "I thought the league is supposed to protect us. But maybe I'm wrong."

Meanwhile, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone supported his star player, saying he thought it was "crazy" Jokić got a technical foul for trying to get the ball from a fan, and added he doesn't "give a s***" the fan was the Suns' owner.

The NBA has yet to announce if they will discipline Jokić further with a fine or suspension, but with Game 5 on Tuesday in Denver and the series hanging in the balance, Nuggets fans are holding their collective breaths.

Kenny "The Jet" Smith was the center of attention during Sunday night's edition of "NBA on TNT" ... with Charles Barkley cracking jokes over his recent beach trip with a beautiful woman -- and the whole thing was hilarious!!

The crew was back on the desk after having several days off from playoff coverage ... and just a few minutes into their pregame show, Ernie Johnson asked if anyone had some photos to share from their mini vacations.

"I got one of Kenny," Barkley said ... hinting at the pics TMZ Sports posted of Kenny at the beach with model Aline Bernardes last week.

Kenny tried to downplay the jab ... claiming all he did was go to the Miami Grand Prix and hang out with Shaquille O'Neal.

Barkley wasn't about to let him off that easily ... saying, "TMZ ain't ever wrong!!"

Luckily for Kenny, Ernie switched topics ... but he wasn't off the hook just yet -- the show's producers shared a few memes that poked fun at the NBA champ a bit more.

You gotta hand it to Smith -- he was a good sport about it all ... and let his cohosts have their fun.

As we previously reported, Smith and Bernardes had some fun in the sun on Thursday ... although it's unclear if they're an item.

Despite the bad reputation Dillon Brooks may get, fellow NBA player Wendell Carter Jr. tells TMZ Sports the Grizzlies forward is a solid player AND person ... and he'll do just fine on another team.

ICYMI, the 6-year-vet -- who becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason -- has been catching heat from fans and analysts for his villainous antics recently, especially in Round 1 of the NBA playoffs against LeBron James.

To make matters worse for Brooks, the Grizzlies lost the series, 4-2 ... and now the Memphis organization reportedly wants to move on from the controversial player.

However, some are vouching for Brooks ... like Carter who told us great things about Brooks -- both on and off the court.

"I think Dillon Brooks is a great person and a great player," the Orlando Magic forward/center said.

"A lot of people like to make their narratives about a lot of players from whatever they may do, which I don't think is fair. But I feel like he's a great player."

Now, when it comes to Brooks' status in the league, Wendell thinks he'll be alright ... and his NBA career is far from over, regardless of what's being said about his character.

"He'll be in this league for a long time, whether it's with Memphis or somewhere else," Carter said. "He'll do just fine."

LeBron James' high school superstar son, Bronny, just revealed where he will suit up next season -- he has committed to play for the USC Trojans.

The 18-year-old dropped an Instagram post to share the news minutes ago ... simply saying, "Fight On #committed."

The announcement finally brings all speculation to an end -- the 5-star recruit received offers from popular programs like Ohio State, Oregon, Kentucky and more ... but was tight-lipped on his next move until Saturday afternoon.

Bronny is a promising young talent -- the 6'3" guard put together quite the highlight reel during his time at Sierra Canyon ... and balled out at the McDonald's All-American Game with five three-pointers, scoring 15 points on the night.

LeBron -- a massive Buckeyes fan -- was probably hoping Bronny would play for the Scarlet and Gray ... but we take it he'll be happy to have his oldest kid nearby as he continues to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Naturally, the news has social media freaking out ... with a ton of Bronny's friends congratulating him on the decision.

One thing's for sure -- the Galen Center will be packed next season ... and don't be surprised if A-listers flock to the courtside seats.

Kenny "The Jet" Smith might be in the middle of covering the NBA playoffs, but he's still finding time for R&R -- the "Inside the NBA" analyst hit Miami Beach with a stunning woman on Thursday ... and TMZ Sports has the pics!!

Smith -- who's been a regular on TNT for decades -- ditched his shirt and threw on some red trunks to catch some rays in Florida ... and had model Aline Bernardes right by his side for the occasion.

It's unclear if the two are dating -- they didn't show any PDA throughout their beach visit, but Bernades DID put him on Instagram for her 207,000 followers to see ... posting a video rocking out to music.

"Teaching gringo friends to enjoy Péricles," Bernardes captioned the clip ... which showed the ex-NBAer dancing along to the Brazilian singer.

Of course, Smith has flown under the radar romantically ever since his divorce from Gwendolyn Osborne, which was finalized in 2021.

As for Bernardes, her social media feed is free of any significant others.

Smith doesn't have to rejoin Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley again until Sunday ... so it makes sense to get out of Atlanta for a while and rest up.

Speaking of Shaq -- Bernardes also shared a snap with the Big Aristotle at Prime 112 in Miami later Thursday night ... saying, "with my BFF."

Zendaya and Tom Holland made it abundantly clear Thursday night they're all-in on Steph Curry and all-out on LeBron James -- cheering their faces off for the Warriors against the Lakers!!

The A-list actors hit up Game 2 of the Golden State vs. L.A. playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco ... and while they somehow didn't have the best seats in the building, there was no question whatsoever to whose back the couple had.

Zendaya, wearing a black Golden State cap for most of the game, roared every time the Dubs made a big basket. And, like a great boyfriend, Holland was right there joining her for the celebrations throughout the night.

Of course, the fandom shouldn't surprise many -- Zendaya is an Oakland native.

Seems all the cheering worked well for the home team ... 'cause Curry and the Warriors went on to blowout the Lakers, 127-100 -- evening up the playoff series at 1-1.

The duo, though, wasn't the only celebs in the arena rooting on Curry at the big game ... 49ers legend Joe Montana and current Niners stars Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Sam Darnold were also there.

In fact, at one point, McCaffrey, Kittle and Darnold seemed to have some fun with Holland by pretending to shoot Spider-Man webs out of their hands while sitting courtside.

Incredible gesture from Luka Doncic ... the NBA superstar is paying for the funerals of the victims who were killed this week in a mass shooting at an elementary school in Serbia, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The tragic incident happened Wednesday morning ... when officials say a 13-year-old student opened fire inside Vladislav Ribnikar primary school, killing eight children and a security guard.

Six other children and one teacher were also injured. The alleged shooter was arrested.

Doncic -- whose father is from Serbia and still has family in the area -- was so moved by the tragedy, a rep for the basketball player told us on Thursday he's covering the funeral costs for the victims as well as providing grief counseling for classmates and school staffers.

"I am heartbroken by the tragic school shooting in Serbia and the loss of lives, including those of innocent school children," Doncic said in a statement. "My thoughts are with the families and the entire community affected by this tragedy."

Lance Blanks -- a Univ. of Texas men's basketball legend who later in life worked as the Phoenix Suns' general manager -- has died, TMZ Sports has learned.

A spokesperson for the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office in Texas tells us ... Blanks passed away on Wednesday.

A cause and manner of death are not yet known ... the rep said exam results are still pending.

Blanks began his collegiate hoops career at the Univ. of Virginia in 1985 ... but transferred to Texas after two seasons, and became a superstar there. In his two years at UT in 1988 and 1989, he averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He was later inducted into Texas' Hall of Honor in 2007.

The shooting guard went on to be selected by the Pistons in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft following his UT career ... and played three seasons in the league for Detroit and Minnesota.

He later played overseas -- before he returned to the States to work as an exec in the NBA.

Blanks spent time as the director of scouting for the San Antonio Spurs, before he became the Cleveland Cavaliers' assistant general manager. In 2010, he was named the GM of the Suns.

Years after he left his role in Phoenix in 2013, he signed on to broadcast UT games for the Longhorn Network.

Former NFL star Eric Metcalf, a UT alum and Blanks' good friend, appeared to comment on Blanks' passing on Thursday on Twitter ... writing, "Everyone hug your family and friends and tell them you love them. We lost a dear friend and brother. People are going through things and you never know it!!!"

Several of Blanks' family members, including his two daughters, released statements on his passing late Thursday afternoon.

"My dad was my person," Riley Blanks Reed said. "He was my teacher, my idol, my best friend. The love I have for him is simply immeasurable."

Added Bryn Blanks Lewis, "My heart aches for the tragic loss of my daddy. He was our father, our rock, our superhero -- the one who was there when we needed him most. Life will never be the same without him."

Blanks was 56 years old.

Shawn Kemp showed up to a Washington court on Thursday to fight back in his parking lot shooting case ... pleading not guilty to the felony charge that prosecutors hit him with three weeks ago.

The SuperSonics legend arrived at the Pierce County courtroom several minutes before the hearing was slated to begin ... wearing a blue button-down shirt with a black vest over it.

Kemp appeared stoic throughout the minutes-long proceedings -- eventually entering a plea of not guilty to one count of first-degree assault, before leaving.

As part of the conditions of Kemp's release, the judge said the former NBA star could not have firearms. Kemp was also ordered to have no contact with the alleged victims in the case.

Kemp did not speak with reporters who were on the scene.

Kemp was initially arrested in the case back on March 8 -- after cops alleged he fired a gun in a Tacoma, Wash. mall parking lot during a dispute with people in a nearby car. On April 14, prosecutors formally charged him with assault.

The 53-year-old has been adamant he was simply acting in self-defense, calling his actions "reasonable and legally justified." He's vowed to fight the case in court.

Kemp is now due back for another hearing on the matter next month.

Detroit Pistons assistant general manager Rob Murphy is out of the job -- the team let the front office exec go on Wednesday ... following an investigation into a workplace misconduct claim made by a former female employee.

The Pistons confirmed the decision in a statement to the Detroit Free Press ... saying after a seven-month long probe, it had no other choice but to part ways with the 50-year-old, who was just promoted to the position last June.

"Mr. Murphy was recently terminated for violation of company policy and the terms of his employment agreement," the team told the outlet. "The facts that gave rise to his termination surfaced during a review, assisted by a national law firm, of allegations made by a former employee."

The Pistons said they cannot provide further details regarding the investigation due to it being a "personnel matter."

Murphy's career with the Pistons started back in March 2021 ... when he was hired as the president and GM for their G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise.

After one season, he was promoted to the Pistons' Senior Director of Player Personnel, before becoming the assistant GM in June 2022.

Alexey Shved -- a Russian-born basketball player who hooped in the NBA -- was hospitalized after he was attacked outside of a Moscow restaurant ... but thankfully, he's on the road to recovery.

According to Shved's Russian basketball team, CSKA Moscow, the 34-year-old was attacked by a "hooligan" on Monday night ... and "suffered a serious head injury as a result of the fall."

Alexey --- who played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, and New York Knicks -- was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Shved, wearing a neck brace, seemed in relatively good spirits as some of his teammates and coaches visited him in the hospital.

Shved's team said he contacted the police to investigate the incident ... and added he would not be able to participate in the squad's next round of matches.

The 6' 6" shooting guard spent his final season in the NBA with the Knicks in 2015, averaging 14.8 points per game in 26.4 minutes for the Knickerbockers.

Joel Embiid's first Most Valuable Player selection just got a lot sweeter ... 'cause his Sixers teammate, James Harden, gifted him a Rolex in honor of the award!!

The Philadelphia center beat out former MVP winners Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo for the nod Tuesday night ... and when the man of the hour showed up at the arena to take on the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Beard came bearing gifts.

Embiid was clearly thrilled over the gesture ... thanking Harden and hugging it out in the tunnel after receiving the expensive watch.

What's funny -- the timepiece didn't fit the 7'0" giant's hand ... but Uno assured the MVP he'll hook him up with some more links soon.

The watch also has a special message engraved on the back ... which reads "'23 MVP."

Embiid -- who said it is his first Rolex -- couldn't help but show off his gift with reporters earlier Wednesday ... smiling as he put it in front of the cameras.

If Embiid suits up for Philly in a few hours (he's been out with a knee sprain), and the watch gives him a bit more motivation, it could be bad news for the Cs -- 'cause the Sixers are currently leading the series, 1-0.

Just call him Snoopstradamus!!!

Hours after Snoop Dogg predicted Jordan Poole would choke in a key moment in Game 1 of the Warriors vs. Lakers playoff series Tuesday night ... the Golden State star did just that!!

The "Gin & Juice" rapper initially offered up the Miss Cleo-like prognostication during an appearance on "First Take" ... when he correctly guessed the Lakers' defense would force Poole into a situation he wouldn't be able to capitalize on.

"We're going to be probably doubling Steph," the Lakers superfan said on the show, "and somebody else is going to be open. Jordan Poole, keep shooting. I like the way you've been missing brother."

Turns out, in the fourth quarter down 115-112 ... L.A. doubled Curry -- which led to Poole trying to make a game-tying 3-pointer from deep behind the 3-point line. But, he missed it ... giving the Lakers the big win.

Poole, though, did have a solid game otherwise ... scoring 21 points (7-15 FGs) -- but his end-of-game brick drew a lot of ire from fans, including Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal.

"I don't like that shot right there," Barkley said on NBA on TNT ... while Shaq added that it wasn't a "good shot" by the guard.

One person who didn't mind the shot was Dubs head coach Steve Kerr, who said in the postgame press conference he was happy with the possession.

Aaron Rodgers appears to already have a new Jets BFF -- he went on a man date with NY star Sauce Gardner to the Knicks game Tuesday ... and it sure felt bromantic to us!!

After months of recruiting the quarterback to the Big Apple, Gardner finally got some alone time with his new teammate ... and the two seemed to certainly hit it off.

According to Rodgers' IG, the guys got some grub at Carbone ... before they pulled up to Madison Square Garden for the Knicks' huge playoff game against the Miami Heat.

The two had great floor seats -- they sat next to "Entourage" star Jerry Ferrara -- and they even got to rub elbows with Carmelo Anthony and his son, Kiyan.

The guys were later shown on the jumbotron during the game -- where they received a massive ovation from the nearly 20,000 fans in attendance.

The dudes appeared to be good luck for the home team, too ... as NY beat up the Jimmy Butler-less Heat, 111-105.

Both guys gushed over the evening afterward on social media, with Rodgers writing, "Another great day and night in the city with my boy @saucegardner."

"One of the best days/nights I had in a while man❕I appreciate you my guy🤞🏾," Gardner added in the comment section.

Soccer reigned supreme once again when it came to lining pockets in 2022 ... with Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé making the most money out of all athletes, according to Forbes' annual list -- and LeBron James and Stephen Curry rounding out the top five.

In the top spot is 38-year-old Ronaldo -- who parted ways with Manchester United in November to join Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in January. The superstar raked in $136 million total on and off the field over the past 12 months.

Coming in at second and third on the list are Messi and Mbappé, respectively. Messi earned $130 million ... while 24-year-old Mbappé -- the only athlete under 30 to grace the top 10 -- pocketed $120 million.

King James is in the top five yet again at fourth on the list, earning $119.5 million. Meanwhile, Steph Curry ($100.4 million) and Kevin Durant ($89.1 million) are the only two other NBA players to make the top 10.

Canelo Álvarez is the lone boxer in the top 10 -- the 58-2-2 Mexican-born fighter made $100 million pounding on opponents inside the ring ... and an additional $10 million out of competition.

Two of golf's biggest names, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, proved the LIV money is real ... with DJ earning $107 million, and Phil earning $106 million.

Finally, Roger Federer -- who's won 20 Grand Slam men's single's titles in his career -- held it down for his respective sport ... as he was the only tennis star to make the top 10, earning $95.1 million.

It's been over 2 months since the Chiefs won the Super Bowl, but Patrick Mahomes is still livin' it up, hitting the 2023 Met Gala with his wife Brittany, and they looked fabulous!

The Kansas City Chiefs superstar and his wife walked the red carpet at the world's most famous fashion event in Manhattan on Monday for the "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" themed night.

Mahomes opted for a classic look, smooth black tuxedo made by Hugo Boss, along with loafers and a pair of dark shades.

Brittany wore an elegant off-the-shoulder gown with silver sequins and a thigh-high slit. As for her hair ... Artistry by LB gave her a natural look, placing her hair in a sleek bun.

Brittany -- who married Mahomes last March -- considered it the perfect "date night".

Fans, friends, and family loved the get up ... including Patrick's brother, Jackson, who said on Instagram, "BEST PHOTO EVER. SO GLAD YOU GUYS WENT!!"