NBA

The NBA is admitting it's forcing LaMelo Ball to cover up his new neck tattoo ... claiming the Charlotte Hornets star's ink is violating league policy.

The 22-year-old got the "LF" put just below his left ear back in September ... to represent his middle name as well as his LaFrancé clothing line.

But, recently, he's covered it up with a bandage ... and on Friday, NBA spokesman Tim Frank said in a statement to ESPN it's because "players are prohibited from displaying commercial logos or corporate insignia on their body or in their hair during games."

"We try to enforce the rule reasonably, in accordance with its purpose, and taking into account players' efforts to express themselves in a non-commercial manner," Frank added. "But LaMelo Ball's neck tattoo is in obvious violation of the rule and, accordingly, he's required to cover it."

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Ball has been fighting the ruling ... and is still in talks with the league about coming up with an alternative solution.

The scenario is similar to one Ball's older brother, Lonzo Ball, had to deal with back in 2018 ... when the league made him cover up a "Big Baller Brand" tattoo he had gotten on his arm.

Shaquille O'Neal sigue retribuyendo, esta vez la superestrella del baloncesto decidió reformar una cancha de baloncesto del club Boys & Girls Club de Los Ángeles, y luego pasó la tarde con los niños, ¡quienes estaban en la luna!

TMZ Sports estuvo allí cuando el Salón de la Fama, funcionarios locales, y representantes de Icy Hot (socio de Shaq desde hace mucho tiempo) abrieron el Comebaq Court, una iniciativa lanzada por la Fundación Shaquille O'Neal que tiene como objetivo arreglar las canchas y campos para los niños de todo el país.

"Vine aquí una vez y vi que la cancha necesitaba una reforma", nos dijo O'Neal el jueves, y añadió: "Pregunté por el arreglo. Me dijeron que sí y este es el resultado".

"Si podemos ayudar a uno, si podemos ayudar a 100, podemos ayudarlos a todos".

Para su información, esta es la quinta cancha de Comebaq de Shaq hasta la fecha. También han arreglado espacios en su ciudad natal, Newark, Nueva Jersey, además de otros lugares como Atlanta, Miami y Las Vegas, donde ha pasado un tiempo considerable.

Y, hay más por venir.

Es posible que O'Neal obtenga la mayor parte del crédito de los medios de comunicación, pero Shaq se apresura en reconocer a sus socios menos famosos que hicieron esto posible, incluyendo la Fundación Icy Hot y varios consejeros que ayudaron a contribuir.

"Esos consejeros, los que trabajan como voluntarios todos los días, deberían llevarse la mayor parte del mérito", afirma Shaq.

"Si necesitas ordenadores, portátiles, pintura fresca... entonces llamas al tío Shaq".

La leyenda de la NBA ganó casi 300 millones de dólares en sus 19 años de carrera solo por concepto de salario. Eso, sin contar todos los endosos y los lucrativos negocios que O'Neal ha hecho durante y después de sus días como jugador profesional.

Así que tiene el dinero, pero esto es mucho más que firmar un cheque. Shaq se preocupa por el bienestar de los niños y eso es impresionante. Al fin y al cabo, son cosas como estas las que hacen de Shaq uno de los atletas de la NBA más adorables de todos los tiempos.

Con las vacaciones a la vuelta de la esquina, le preguntamos al jugador de 51 años qué iba a hacer para Thanksgiving, y al más puro estilo Shaquille nos dijo: "No hago nada en mi casa".

Shaquille O'Neal continues to give back ... this time the Big Fella refurbished a basketball court at a Boys & Girls Club in Los Angeles, and then spent the afternoon hangin' with the kids, and they were over the moon!

TMZ Sports was there at the BGC of Metro LA when the Hall of Famer, local officials, and Icy Hot (Shaq's longtime partner) reps opened the Comebaq Court ... an initiative launched by the Shaquille O'Neal Foundation which aims to fix courts and fields for kids across the country.

"I came here one time and I saw the court need to be refurbished," O'Neal told us on Thursday, adding, "I asked about the refurbish. They told me 'yes' and this is the result."

"If we can help one, if we can help 100, we can help 'em all"

FYI, this is Shaq's fifth Comebaq Court to date ... he also has fixed up courts in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, in addition to several other places like Atlanta, Miami, and Las Vegas, where he's spent significant time.

And, there's more to come.

O'Neal may get most of the credit from the media, but Shaq is quick to recognize his less-famous partners who made this possible, including Icy Hot and various counselors who helped contribute.

"Those counselors, the one who volunteers every day, they actually should get most of the credit," Shaq said.

"If you need computers, you need laptops, fresh paint -- then you call Uncle Shaq."

The NBA legend made nearly $300 million over his 19-year career in NBA salary money alone. That's not counting all of the endorsements, and lucrative business moves O'Neal has made during and after his basketball playing days.

So, he's got the money, but this is about much more than writing a check. Shaq cares about the kids' well-being ... and that's awesome. At the end of the day, it's things like this that make Shaq one of the most lovable athletes of all time.

With the holidays coming up, we asked the 51-year-old what he was doing for Turkey Day... and in true Shaquille fashion he told us ... "I don't do anything in my house."

Steve Kerr made it clear he's pissed at Draymond Green for choking Rudy Gobert earlier this week ... calling the Golden State star's actions "inexcusable."

The Warriors head coach didn't hold back when talking about Green's role in Tuesday night's on-court fight just before the Dubs' game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday ... explaining to reporters he didn't find Green's actions appropriate.

"He took it too far," Kerr said. "Draymond was wrong. He knows that. It's a bad look."

Kerr added that the five-game ban that Draymond received for putting his arms around Gobert's neck and refusing to let go during the Dubs' loss to the Timberwolves was "deserved."

"It was a terrible visual for the league," Kerr said, "for Draymond and for everybody."

Initially, Kerr seemed to have Green's back following the brawl ... saying Tuesday night he thought his player did what was needed to protect Klay Thompson. In some ways, Kerr stood by that stance a bit on Thursday, telling media members he "had no problem" with Green getting Gobert off Thompson ... but "he's got to let go."

"He hung on for like six, seven seconds," Kerr said.

Without Green on Thursday night, the Warriors got blown out by the Thunder, 128-109.

Much of Clips Nation is panicking over the team's disastrous start with James Harden, but not the team's most loyal fan, Clipper Darrell, who tells us he has complete confidence that the squad will not only turn things around but will also be a top seed in the Western Conference!

And, they could even compete for an NBA title.

Yes, Darrell Bailey is doubling down on the Clippers ... despite them being winless at 0-5 since acquiring the former NBA MVP from the Philadelphia 76ers about 2 and a half weeks ago.

"Anytime a new person comes in, especially of James Harden's caliber, it's gonna take time," Clipper Darrell explained, before making it clear he still has faith in Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the roster's ability to mesh with The Beard.

"I still believe in this team. I know we're having a hard time right now, but this team is definitely going to prosper."

Not everyone feels the same way ... Darrell admits much of the fan base is, let's call it, highly concerned.

"Oh no, they're freakin' out, they're freakin' out! They're goin' crazy! 'I told you, I didn't want him!' But hey, ya gotta believe. It's early in the season. Now if this was March, Babcock. Come on! I'd be pulling my hair out."

The good news for the 3-7 L.A. ... the NBA season is still young. We asked Darrell to look in his crystal ball and predict where the team stands after the full 82 games.

"Second seed," CD said, continuing ... "We definitely gonna be a top 3 team, but I'm looking at second seed. I want first, but I ain't gonna be greedy."

Miles Bridges is slated to make his return to the hardwood on Friday -- the Charlotte Hornets just announced he's fulfilled the terms of his 30-game suspension related to a domestic violence incident.

The team released a statement on Bridges' status on Thursday ... saying, "We are comfortable with Miles returning to play based on our current understanding of the facts of the recent allegations and remain in contact with the NBA as that matter proceeds through the court process."

Bridges -- who re-signed with the Hornets this past summer -- hasn't played a second of NBA ball since he was arrested for allegedly assaulting the mother of his children in June 2022.

The 25-year-old forward maintained his innocence throughout the case ... but pled no contest to the felony domestic violence charge in court last year.

Bridges was handed the 30-game ban in April 2022 ... but was credited with serving 2/3 of that punishment as he remained a free agent during the 2022-23 season.

Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said earlier this week he expects Bridges to have a "significant role right away" ... and the team could use him, as it's currently 3-7.

Jordyn Woods se aseguró de que su novio, la estrella de la NBA Karl-Anthony Towns, brillara en su cumpleaños número 28, regalándole un anillo de diamantes y una cadena de hielo.

El pívot de los Timberwolves celebró otro viaje alrededor del sol el miércoles y aunque Minnesota tuvo que jugar un partido contra los Suns, su señora se aseguró de que su día fuera muy espeial.

En un video que compartió en redes sociales, se puede ver que ella le regaló el conjunto de diamantes después de la derrota de los Wolves en Phoenix. Las piezas creadas por "Tim Da Joyero" son increíbles.

TMZ Sports ha indagado, el anillo cuenta con 15.4 quilates de diamantes VVS1/VVS2, mientras que el colgante es de 14 quilates de oro rosa con 37.5 quilates de diamantes VVS1/VVS2. Ambos fueron diseñados para que se viera el número 32, un guiño al número de camiseta que lleva en la NBA.

"Feliz cumpleaños mi amor 🤍", le dijo la chica de 26 años a Karl en un post separado de IG. "No puedo imaginar la vida sin ti 🤍".

Woods y Towns —la primera elección global en el Draft de la NBA de 2015— se juntaron en 2020 y han hecho saber que han sido muy felices el uno con el otro desde entonces.

De hecho, Woods elogió recientemente su relación con el tres veces All-Star, diciendo que ama la confianza, el tiempo de calidad y los regalos que comparten juntos.

"Nos encanta darnos regalos, ¿por qué? ¿El lenguaje del amor? El lenguaje del amor es el tiempo de calidad. Nos encanta todo", dijo a la revista PEOPLE.

Jordyn Woods made sure her boyfriend, NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns, was shinin' on his 28th birthday ... gifting him a massive diamond ring AND an iced-out chain!!

The Timberwolves center celebrated yet another trip around the sun on Wednesday ... and even though Minnesota had to play a game against the Suns, his lady made sure his cake day wasn't all about work.

In a video she shared on her social media page, you can see she gifted KAT the diamond set after the Wolves' loss in Phoenix ... and the pieces -- created by Tim Da Jeweler -- are incredible.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the ring features 15.4 cts of VVS1/VVS2 diamonds, while the pendant is 14K rose gold with 37.5 cts of VVS1/VVS2 diamonds. Both were fashioned so they made out the No. 32 ... a nod to the jersey number he wears in the NBA.

"Happy Birthday my love 🤍," the 26-year-old said to KAT in a separate IG post. "Can't imagine life without you 🤍"

Woods and Towns -- the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft -- got together in 2020 ... and they've made it well known they've been super happy with each other ever since.

In fact, Woods recently praised her relationship with the 3-time All-Star ... saying she loves the trust, quality time and gifts they share together.

"We love gift giving and ... What is it? The love language? The love language is quality time. We love everything," she said to PEOPLE magazine.

9:35 AM PT -- Turns out Gradey's intro was more PG-13 than rated R ... 'cause the Raptors tell us their announcer did actually say the D-word, but instead went with the clean version, "Big Big Energy!"

Latto's smiling somewhere ... after the Toronto Raptors PA man announced rookie Gradey Dick in the most hilarious way during player introductions -- "Mr. Big Dick Energy!"

The WTF moment happened right before the Raptors took on Damian Lillard and the Bucks at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wednesday.

The Raptors' PA announcer began introducing the Raptors starting lineup ... which for the first time ever, included Dick.

The announcer made sure GD's first time starting would be very special ... and the intro was hysterical.

"Wearing number one, Mr. Big Dick energy!" the announcer yelled, before eventually saying his full name. Video of the intro has gone viral.

Of course, it's not the first joke that's been made about Gradey's last name since the 19-year-old was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft ... Raptors fans immediately began having fun with it.

"I’m not a fan of grading draft picks this early but I’m no stranger to grading Dick picks," a fan said on draft night in June.

Insert a million and one other jokes here.

Gradey's been a star since he arrived in the city of Toronto ... and even become buddies with Drake. In fact, Gradey made a cameo in Adonis' music video for his song, "My Man Freestyle!"

Drake dice que la fuerza se ha apoderado de él y que las canciones fluyen como nunca, por lo que las está lanzando la tercera edición de su serie "Scary Hours" EP.

El jueves, Drake hizo el anuncio improvisado a través de un trailer filmado dentro de una de sus lujosas fincas, donde explicó el método para su última ronda de canciones.

Drake dice que está tan confiado en su álbum recién lanzado —"For All The Dogs"— que podría irse de vacaciones un par de años, pero dice que ese no es su estilo.

¡Citó su famoso "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" mixtape como inspo detrás de la caída 'SH3' y afirma haber escrito el proyecto en los últimos 5 días!

Kevin Durant y el ingeniero de Drake Noel Cadastre también figuran como productores ejecutivos para el proyecto, pero las apariciones de invitados son mamá por ahora.

Drake no hizo mención de los "problemas estomacales" que trajo a colación el mes pasado cuando le dijo a sus fans que no iba a lanzar música por un tiempo.

El nuevo EP y el hecho de que se va de gira con J. Cole, parecen buenas señales de que ya no está preocupado por su salud.

Drake says the force has taken hold of him, and the songs are writing themselves, so he's releasing them -- the 3rd edition of his 'Scary Hours' EP series is about to drop!

On Thursday, Drake made the impromptu announcement via a video trailer shot inside one of his lavish estates, where he explained the method for his latest round of madness ... comparing his latest tier to being on drugs!!!

Drake says he's so confident in his recently released album "For All The Dogs" that he could go MIA for a couple of years ... but says that's not his style.

He cited his famed "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" mixtape as inspo behind the 'SH3' drop and claims to have written the project within the last 5 days!!!

Kevin Durant and Drake's longtime engineer Noel Cadastre are also listed as executive producers for the project but the guest appearances are mum for now.

Drake made no mention of the "stomach issues" he brought up last month when he told fans he wouldn't be releasing music for a while.

The new EP, and the fact he's going on tour with J. Cole, seem like good signs he's no longer worried about his health.

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse is scoffing at the theories surrounding Kelly Oubre Jr.'s recent hit-and-run accident ... saying he 100% believes the hooper's injuries are the result of being struck by a vehicle.

Nurse -- who's in his first season with Philly -- met with the media prior to the Sixers' game against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday ... and was asked about the rumblings that Oubre isn't sharing the full story after police stated there was no surveillance footage to back the hooper's claim.

Nurse said he's not looking that much into the report ... as he has no reason to think the 27-year-old would fabricate his side of things.

"I would not address that," Nurse said in a back-and-forth with a reporter. "I don't have an answer to that other than I believe what's been reported so far."

Nurse said he was recently made aware of the chatter surrounding the incident ... but reiterated he wasn't giving it the time of day.

"Again, I'm going to believe Kelly at his word and all that stuff and focus on this game and handle things as they come."

As we previously reported, Oubre was pretty beat up as he returned to his Philly apartment on Saturday ... with Ring footage showing him tell his wife he was just hit by a car.

We're told he was later interviewed by police at the hospital ... but possibly mixed up the location of the incident as he was on medication and new to the area.

TMZ Sports has obtained footage of Kelly Oubre Jr. just minutes after he was struck by a vehicle over the weekend ... showing the Philadelphia 76ers forward struggling to walk as he entered his apartment.

As we previously reported, the 6'7" hooper was involved in a hit-and-run outside his Philly residence on Saturday ... suffering a broken rib and injuries to his hip and leg after a silver car swiped him with a side-view mirror.

Sources tell us Oubre returned home shortly after being hit ... and when his wife saw him in serious pain, she called 911.

In the Ring camera footage, Oubre is heard telling Shylynn he was hit by a car as he rolled a bicycle into his residence.

We're told the 27-year-old was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital ... where medical professionals began treatment.

Our sources say a couple hours after the incident, officials interviewed Oubre to get some information on what went down.

At the time, Oubre claimed the incident happened near 15th and Spruce Street .... but on Wednesday, police said there was no surveillance video to support his claim.

Sources tell us two factors play into this -- one being Oubre was medicated and not in the right state of mind when he spoke with cops ... the other being he's fresh to the area, as he just moved to Philly in September and doesn't know his way around town just yet.

All that considered, our sources say it was challenging for Oubre to pinpoint the exact location of the accident ... so he tried his best.

There's no official timetable on Oubre's recovery ... although some reports claim he could be back in action as early as the end of the month.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis was just found guilty of swindling the NBA out of a ton of cash through the league's healthcare plan ... after authorities claim he accepted reimbursement for medical treatments he never received.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York announced the update in the case on Wednesday ... saying a jury determined the former Boston Celtics champion -- as well as fellow ex-NBAer Will Bynum -- were involved in a criminal scheme to defraud the NBA's Players' Health and Benefit Welfare Plan.

As we previously reported, a number of NBA alums -- including Darius Miles, Shannon Brown, Tony Allen, Jamario Moon, Tony Wroten, Melvin Ely and Ruben Patterson -- were accused of lining their pockets through the scheme by filing bogus claims for reimbursement with the league's healthcare plan.

Prosecutors previously claimed Terrence Williams, a 2009 NBA Draft first-round pick, was the mastermind behind it all.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams released a statement ... saying, "While many of the more than 20 defendants convicted in this case were well-known NBA stars, their conduct was otherwise a typical fraudulent scheme designed to defraud the NBA’s health care plan and net the defendants over $5 million in illicit profits."

Worth noting -- Davis reportedly made more than $33.1 million over the course of his career.

5:52 PM PT -- The NBA is punishing Draymond Green for his putting Rudy Gobert in a chokehold ... hitting DG with a 5-game suspension.

In announcing the suspension Wednesday, the NBA says ... "The length of the suspension is based in part on Green's history of unsportsmanlike acts."

Draymond will reportedly miss out on $769,970 in salary with the unpaid suspension ... and he's being fined $25,000.

Meanwhile, Rudy is being docked $25K ... as are Klay Thompson and Jaden McDaniels.

Draymond Green has found himself in hot water for putting his hands on someone once again.

This time, the Warriors superstar was ejected from Golden State's game against the Timberwolves on Tuesday night ... because he locked Rudy Gobert in a chokehold.

The MMA move happened just seconds into the Dubs' contest with Minnesota at the Chase Center in San Francisco ... just after Klay Thompson got tangled up with Jaden McDaniels.

The two NBA stars swung each other around right in the middle of the court ... and in an effort to break it all up, guys from both teams raced in.

But, when Green got to the fracas, he appeared to escalate things further by wrapping his arm around Gobert's neck -- and refusing to let go ... this despite repeated pleas from head coach Steve Kerr.

Eventually, Green did drop Gobert ... but refs still decided to throw him out of the game for the act -- as well as Thompson and McDaniels.

After the game -- which the Warriors ended up losing -- Gobert blasted Green for it all ... calling the Golden State star's actions "clown behavior."

"It's kind of funny because before the game, I was telling myself that Steph [Curry] is not playing, so I know Draymond is going to try and get ejected," Gobert said. "Because every time Steph doesn't play, he doesn't want to play -- it's his guy Steph. He'll do anything he can to get ejected."

Gobert then called for punishment for Green.

"I do hope that the league is going to do what needs to be done because that’s just clown behavior," Gobert said. "Not much to say. It’s clown behavior."

Of course, Green is no stranger to these situations ... he's been ejected for physical altercations several times over his career -- and, perhaps most famously, he was fined by his own team last year for getting violent with teammate Jordan Poole during a preseason practice.

We covered it all on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.

One of the most important pieces of memorabilia from Victor Wembanyama's NBA career -- a jersey he wore during his first-ever Spurs game -- has just gone up for auction ... and so far, bidders are showing they really want the item.

In its first day on the block, the threads that the 19-year-old phenom rocked in San Antonio's season-opener on Oct. 25 have already received 25 bids .... with a high $50,000 so far.

Experts at Sotheby's -- which is hosting the auction as part of its new partnership with the NBA -- previously anticipated the jersey would sell for between $80,000-$120,000 ... though if the early interest is any indication, it seems there's a good chance it could exceed that figure.

Of course, it shouldn't surprise many if it does ... given the start of Wemby's career.

The 7-foot-4 power forward -- who many have touted as the best prospect since LeBron James -- has tallied 19.7 points per game to go along with 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.4 blocks through his first 10 contests -- all historic numbers.

As for how he did the night he wore the jersey that's up for sale ... Wembanyama had 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block, although San Antonio ended up losing to Dallas.

The jersey -- listed as size 52 with a plus-4 length -- will stay up on the auction block until Nov. 21 ... giving collectors about seven more days to scrounge together all their change to make their best run at buying it.