NBA

Heat player Haywood Highsmith was involved in a car accident following Tuesday night's game in Miami ... a crash that reportedly left one man in critical condition with a partially amputated leg.

The Heat say 27-year-old Highsmith -- an undrafted free agent out of Wheeling University in 2018 -- got in the wreck heading home from their contest against the Orlando Magic, in which he recorded three minutes of action in the 121-95 win.

According to local reporter Andy Slater, Highsmith hit a man who was helping another driver who was stuck in the middle of the road.

The man who was struck remains in critical condition, the report added.

The Heat released a statement on the incident ... saying, "Our hearts go out to those who were injured."

Highsmith will sit out Wednesday's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs due to "personal reasons."

Highsmith -- who has also suited up in the G League and overseas -- has appeared in 37 games this season ... averaging 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds so far. It's unclear when he is expected to rejoin the team.

Kyrie Irving went off in more ways than one in his return to Barclay Center Tuesday night ... dropping 36 points against his old Nets team AND also taking a jab at NYC Mayor Eric Adams!

And, no, this wasn't a random diss directed at the mayor ... there's some bad blood here.

The drama began when a fan sitting courtside asked Irving ... "Why you didn't play like this when you were on the Nets?"

The Mavericks star had a response ... "Thank Mayor Adams for that, bro."

Of course, Irving, an 8x All-Star, spent parts of 4 seasons with the Nets ... but despite having two of the best players in Kyrie and Kevin Durant, the team didn't win, and Ky was ultimately traded to Dallas last season.

Irving's response to the fan was certainly referring to Adams' COVID-19 vaccine mandate policy during the pandemic ... which meant Ky, who chose not to get the vax, couldn't play any home games (or games in New York).

Not having Kyrie was a blow to the Nets team on the floor during the 2021-2022 season ... but it was also the root of a ton of controversy, given the polarizing nature of the vaccine mandate issue.

Despite the shot during the game, after the game, 31-year-old Irving talked positively about his return to BK.

"I don't think about it too often now," Irving told reporters, adding, "Pretty much at peace with what happened and spending time here. I wish a lot of guys well and a lot of people that I've gotten a chance to get to know."

"Got to see a lot of smiles. Got to make some kids really happy and that's what this job's about."

Not everyone was smiling, though ... before Irving's shot at Adams, some fans booed their former star guard during player introductions.

Ex-NBA star Stephen Jackson just unloaded on Austin Rivers ... calling him "trash" and a "scrub" for comments he made about Bronny James.

Rivers recently gave his take on LeBron's dream of playing alongside his son in the NBA ... revealing he hopes it doesn't happen, as it could do more harm than good for a young hooper still developing his skills on the court.

Rivers compared the situation to playing for his father, Doc, during his time with the L.A. Clippers ... and claimed Bron and Bronny suiting up together might welcome a ton of criticism directed at the current USC star.

Stak took major issue with Rivers' comments ... teeing off on him in the comment section of an Instagram post this week.

"And your daddy not LeBron," Jackson said. "Shut up."

"Difference is you trash, Bronny not. You can’t compare to him, scrub."

Some folks are upset with the 2003 NBA champion's response ... considering Rivers was a former top recruit and earned a ton of accolades at Duke before going No. 10 overall in the 2012 Draft.

Bronny is still early in his college career ... averaging nearly 6 points and 3 rebounds a game in 14 appearances after suffering cardiac arrest during a workout in July 2023.

A special week for Lakers fans just got better ... the same night the purple and gold unveil the Kobe Bryant statue outside Crypto.com Arena, LeBron James and Co. will rock Mamba uniforms, designed by the late legend himself!

The Lakers made the announcement Tuesday morning, saying the squad would wear their Black Mamba uniforms vs. the Denver Nuggets on February 8, the same night the team will introduce Bryant's bronze statue in Star Plaza outside of the arena.

Aside from the jerseys looking fresh, they're extra special because Kobe actually helped create them back in 2017 ... borrowing elements from the Lakers uniform he wore during his rookie season in 1996-1997.

The Mamba unis, which the team will wear on 2/8/24 (another nod to the legend), feature a black, snakeskin-like print ... and also include "LA 24" on the belt, with Kobe's number 8 and 24 stitched on the leg of the shorts.

It won't be the first time the Lakers have worn the uniforms ... they debuted them in January 2018. They also wore them again during the 2020 championship season following Bryant's tragic death.

As cool as the uniforms are, the statue is also a huge honor.

Una semana especial para los fans de los Lakers acaba de mejorar. La misma noche que el equipo inaugure la estatua de Kobe Bryant afuera del Crypto.com Arena, LeBron James y compañía lucirán uniformes Mamba, ¡diseñados por la propia leyenda!

Los Lakers hicieron el anuncio el martes por la mañana, diciendo que el equipo usaría sus uniformes Black Mamba contra los Denver Nuggets el 8 de febrero, la misma noche en que el equipo presentará la estatua de bronce de Bryant en Star Plaza afuera de la arena.

Además de que las camisetas se ven frescas, son extra especiales porque Kobe ayudó a crearlas en 2017, tomando prestados elementos del uniforme de los Lakers que usó durante su temporada de novato entre 1996-1997.

Las Mamba unis, que el equipo usará el 8 de febrero de 2024 (otro guiño a la leyenda), cuentan con una impresión negra, similar a la piel de serpiente, y también incluyen "LA 24" en el cinturón, con el número 8 y 24 de Kobe cosido en la pierna de los pantalones cortos.

Esta no sería la primera vez que los Lakers usan estos uniformes. El equipo los estrenó en enero de 2018 y los volvieron a usar durante la temporada 2020 del campeonato, después de la trágica muerte de Bryant.

Igual de genial que usar estos uniformes, es la estatua, qu también es un gran honor.

Steph Curry hizo el sábado por la noche algo que sólo ha hecho una vez en su vida: anotar 60 puntos durante un partido, y Lindsay Lohan fue la beneficiaria de su hazaña.

Los Warriors de Steph perdieron ante los Hawks 134-141, pero Steph hizo historia, es solo es el 10º jugador en la historia de la NBA en anotar 60 puntos al menos dos veces.

En cuanto a Lindsay, ella y su marido estaban en la cancha viendo el partido. Luego, Steph firmó su camiseta y se la dio a Lindsay, escribió: "¡Tus padrinos te quieren! Para Luai. Warriors" El niño de un año de LiLo se llama Luai.

Por si no lo sabías, Steph y Ayesha son efectivamente las madrinas de Luai. En cuanto a la conexión, Lindsay y Ayesha protagonizaron juntas "Irish Wish", que se estrenará el 15 de marzo en Netflix.

Steph Curry did something Saturday night he's only done one time in his life -- scored 60 points during a game, and Lindsay Lohan was the beneficiary of his achievement.

Steph's Warriors lost to the Hawks in OT -- 134-141, but Steph made a little history -- he's only the 10th player in NBA history to score 60 points at least twice.

As for Lindsay, she and her hubby were right there courtside in ATL watching the game. Afterward, Steph signed his jersey and gave it to Lindsay ... the inscription reads, "Your Godparents love you! To Luai. Warriors" LiLo's one-year-old kid's name is Luai.

In case you didn't know, Steph and Ayesha are indeed the godparents to Luai. As for the connection, Lindsay and Ayesha starred together in "Irish Wish," which will be released March 15 on Netflix.

LeBron James is fuming over the Joel Embiid knee injury news -- slamming all the talking heads who criticized the Sixers star for missing games ... and calling on them to admit they were wrong.

The reigning MVP suffered a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee during Philly's game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday ... and it was later announced he'd be sidelined at least through the weekend as the team figures out how to treat the ailment.

29-year-old Embiid had missed multiple games due to soreness in that same knee ... and at the time, several analysts ripped him and questioned the legitimacy behind his reason for sitting.

Now that Embiid is out an undisclosed amount of time and at risk of missing out on MVP contention due to the league's requirements for award eligibility ... LeBron is shining a light on the folks who had it completely wrong.

King James went to social media to voice his frustrations ... saying, "Where are all the media outlets, tv media personalities, hot takes that talked so much 💩 about Joel Embiid about missing those games when he knew what he was dealing with."

"Now he’s out with an injury because of it. Not 1 person has went back on tv or their dumbass podcast and apologized to that MAN!! No accountability 🗑️🗑️🗑️"

Embiid has played in 34 games so far this season ... and if he misses four more contests, he will lose his shot at top league honors -- despite averaging 35 points, 11 rebounds and nearly six assists.

An overzealous Kevin Durant fan was doin' TOO much at the Suns-Nets game ... so much so that Barclays Center security got irritated, forcing the man to put his ass in an arena seat!

The hilarious moment was caught by YES Network cameras and shared on social media Thursday morning, a day after the Phoenix Suns beat the Brooklyn Nets, 136-120, in KD's return to Barclays.

A super excited fan wearing a Durant Nets jersey was seen standing up at his seat, pointing and making heart-hand gestures, presumably in KD's direction.

The moment quickly turned cringy as the guy kept goin' on and on ... until security had enough, confronting the dude, and quickly making him take a seat.

Social media thought it was hilarious ... with one person saying, "My boy said STFU and sit-down!"

Another said, "KD laughin at this one when he sees it."

It's not the first time a fan got a bit overeager with their favorite hooper ... remember last month when someone ran up on LeBron James as he sat on the Lakers bench.

The NBA legend was caught off guard, and responded by physically shoving the guy away before security intervened.

It was all love in Portland for Damian Lillard ... the NBA star got a standing ovation from fans in his first return to the Moda Center since he was traded to the Bucks.

The big show of appreciation came Wednesday night when the Bucks faced the Blazers on their home court, months after Dame was traded from Portland, after 11 seasons, to Milwaukee.

The sold-out crowd got on their feet and cheered for their former guard during player introduction ... and Lillard was overwhelmed with emotions.

"It was a fun game," the 8x All-Star said at his post-game press conference, "I think these types of games, you know, where it's just a lot of meaning, it's a lot of emotion to it."

"That's what tonight was. It was an entertaining game, it was excitement, the fans were into the game for a lot of reasons. That's what the NBA is."

Lillard also got a video tribute on the jumbotron from the Blazers organization.

Speaking of videos, Kevin Durant also made his first return to the Barclay Center since the Nets traded him to the Phoenix Suns ... Brooklyn also gave him a tribute, too.

FYI, Durant seemingly didn't want a video ... saying he didn't deserve one days ahead of the game.

"I was there for three years, four years and we didn’t accomplish anything worth being celebrated for," Durant told The Arizona Republic.

"That’s just how I feel."

Shaquille O'Neal values education, and now the legendary big man is making college substantially more affordable ... as American students continue to fall deeper into debt.

O'Neal, along with 29-year-old business partner Tade Oyerinde, talked to TMZ Sports this week about their company, Campus, and its goal to revolutionize 2-year degrees.

Think of Campus, which Oyerinde, now the Chancellor, founded in 2022 ... as an affordable, online community college where students have an opportunity to earn an associate's degree.

Unlike the typical community college experience, Campus' professors come from some of the most prestigious universities, such as Princeton.

O'Neal, who attended LSU, is investing in Campus, joining other high-profile investors like OpenAI founder Sam Altman and billionaire Michael Bloomberg ... as the men throw their money and time behind the concept.

We asked Shaq why he decided to get involved.

"I like to invest in things that are gonna change people's lives, and this will definitely change a person's life. Everyone to be able to have access to world-class education is very important. When I first met Tade he told me 'DFD. I was like, 'What does that mean? Debt-free degrees,'" O'Neal told Babcock.

Of course, student loan debt is a huge problem ... with U.S. students/graduates owing lenders to the tune of $1.7 TRILLION. Campus says they want to stem the bleeding by providing affordable schooling.

Tuition at Campus clocks in at just over $7k for the year ... which pales in comparison to the average cost for a college education.

Atlanta Hawks fans let D'Angelo Russell know they're not down to trade Dejounte Murray for him ... chanting "We don't want you" at the Lakers guard during Tuesday's game!

The cold-blooded moment happened at the Lakers vs. Hawks game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta ... when Russell walked to the free-throw line after being fouled.

"We don't want you! We don't want you!" a chorus of fans in the upper bowl yelled ... a moment that was captured on video by reporter Dave McMenamin.

The chants stem from rumors the Lakers are shopping DLo ... and the guy they want in return is Murray, an All-Star guard, who agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension with the Hawks last July.

Russell -- who is in his second stint with LA -- is averaging 17.1 points and 6.1 assists this season.

Nonetheless, no trade has been agreed to ... so for now the Hawks fans get their wish. But, the Lakers have until the Feb. 8 deadline.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder refused to respond to the trade rumors ... telling reporters at pre-game, "I think I made it clear that I don’t comment on rumors and speculation. It’s not something I get involved with."

Heckling aside, Hawks fans left happy ... their team beat the Lakers, 138-122, thanks in part to an off game from Russell (he only scored 9 points on 3 of 11 shooting).

The San Francisco 49ers are feeling the love from their city after clinching their spot in the Super Bowl ... with the Golden State Warriors hosting the squad for a celebration at Tuesday's game!!

The NFC Champs were treated as such at the Chase Center as the Dubs faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers ... with the home team setting up a nice spread in honor of their big win on Sunday.

All the players like Trent Williams, Ray-Ray McCloud and Chase Young were gifted their very own customized Warriors jerseys ... complete with their names and numbers.

Deebo Samuel was soaking in the hospitality ... which also included a special cake and what appeared to be rosé.

The gang certainly appreciated the gesture ... cheering as they chowed down on some snacks and enjoyed the private gathering.

Stephen Curry also acknowledged the NFC Champs at the game ... sharing a moment with star tight end George Kittle, who was sitting courtside for the 119-107 victory.

In fact, Curry said the Dubs were a bit inspired by the Niners being in the building for the matchup ... and they may have given Golden State the motivation to keep the winning going.

Jason Kidd just shoveled a mountain full of praise on Luka Doncic ... saying the Dallas Mavericks superstar is not only better than Dirk Nowitzki -- but he's approaching Michael Jordan territory as well.

The Mavs head coach -- who won an NBA title with Dirk in 2011 -- made the eyebrow-raising comments on 97.1 The Freak's "The Downbeat" on Tuesday ... explaining he truly believes Doncic is already the best player to ever wear a Dallas uniform.

"He does things that Dirk could never do," Kidd said ... adding, according to ESPN, "He's in the atmosphere of MJ, the best to ever do it, LeBron [James], Kobe [Bryant]."

Doncic has certainly made Kidd's stance one that's hard to argue with recently -- as he's coming off one of the greatest three-game stretches the Association has ever seen.

On Jan. 26 against Atlanta, he scored 73 points. The next day vs. Sacramento, he logged a triple-double with 28 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds. And on Monday night while facing Orlando, he poured in another 45 points with 15 dimes and nine boards.

Kidd said it's all led him to believe the 24-year-old will win several titles in his career.

"He's a winner," Kidd said, "and his ultimate goal is to win a championship. And, he will get there and not just win one, but he will win multiple when it's all said and done."

The Battle of the Sexes: NBA Edition is official -- Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu will be going head-to-head in a three-point shootout during the upcoming All-Star Weekend festivities!!

The NBA just shared the exciting news minutes ago ... saying the highly-anticipated, first-of-its-kind event will go down Feb. 17 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Curry -- a two-time three-point contest winner and all-time three-point scorer -- will shoot from the NBA arc, while the New York Liberty guard will throw up her attempts from WNBA regulation. Both hoopers will also use their respective league's game balls for the contest.

Of course, this all started after the Golden State Warriors guard challenged Ionescu after she scored 37 points (out of a possible 40) in the WNBA's three-point contest last summer, a record in the WNBA and NBA.

"I think I gotta bring her out," Curry said while discussing her milestone with his teammate Brandin Podziemski. "We gotta settle this once and for all."

SI accepted the offer ... and the NBA is giving fans what they want by making it happen.

Not only are bragging rights on the line, but money will be raised for a good cause, too -- every shot Curry and Ionescu make will go toward a donation to the NBA Foundation to help Black communities.

Curry's charity, Eat.Learn.Play, and Ionescu's SI20 Foundation will also receive a donation from the NBA and WNBA.

LaMelo Ball is in some hot water with some of his biggest fans ... who are pissed at the NBA star for cracking up on the Hornets' bench during a blowout loss Monday.

Ball wasn't playing in Charlotte's home tilt against the New York Knicks while dealing with a sore ankle ... so he took a seat with some of his squadmates -- and despite the completely one-sided score, he was seen smiling throughout the contest.

At one point, when Charlotte was down 25 points early in the fourth quarter ... Ball was actually seen busting at the seams with Bryce McGowens and James Bouknight.

The images pissed off a whole lot of Hornets supporters, who found it downright disrespectful that the team's biggest star didn't appear locked in on the game.

What made it especially worse was "Let's Go Knicks" chants had broken out at the Spectrum Center right around the same time.

The Hornets went on to lose 113-92 ... and their record is now a measly 10-35.