NBA

NBA legend Bill Walton -- arguably the biggest Grateful Dead fan on the planet -- received a huge tribute at the Dead & Company Sphere show Thursday night ... three days after he tragically passed away.

The band -- which consists of John Mayer and Bob Weir, plus other former Grateful Dead members -- projected images of Walton behind them throughout their hourslong concert at the must-see attraction in Las Vegas.

Some of the pics displayed on the building's massive screens included Walton with Weir and Mickey Hart. They also featured the former Celtics center's No. 32 jersey number, rose petals ... and a whole bunch of tie-dye colors.

10:56 AM PT -- Officials say Drew Gordon was driving a three-wheel Vanderhall Carmel when he crashed with a GMC Sierra pickup around 1 PM on Thursday.

Gordon died at the scene, while the 25-year-old driver of the GMC and a passenger were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials say the preliminary investigation indicates Gordon's vehicle crossed the center line and made contact with the GMC ... and impairment does not appear to have played a role in the accident.

Former NBA player Drew Gordon -- the brother of Denver Nuggets star Aaron Gordon -- died in a car accident in Portland on Thursday. He was just 33 years old.

Gordon was a star athlete growing up in California ... earning All-American honors at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose.

He went on to play college ball at UCLA and the University of New Mexico for two seasons each ... and later signed with numerous professional clubs in Europe, before making his NBA debut with the Philadelphia 76ers in November 2014.

Luka Doncic just wanted to enjoy a cold one after leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals, but Michael Finley had other plans ... smoothly jacking the superstar's beer in a hilarious moment.

The 25-year-old Slovenian hooper and his teammates celebrated the franchise's first Western Conference title since 2011 on Thursday ... easily handling the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the series, 124-103.

Naturally, the Mavs were in great spirits after clinching a matchup with the Boston Celtics ... but when Luka posted up alongside his pops and sipped a blonde ale during the postgame festivities, the former pro-turned-exec intervened.

Boston radio host Fred Toucher delivered the worst on-air eulogy ever, calling Bill Walton a "phony hippie" and making a joke about his death, just a day after the legendary hooper-turned-broadcaster passed away ... and suffice it to say, many people are pissed!

Walton -- a College and Basketball Hall of Famer, and, when healthy, one of the most unstoppable big men to ever lace up a pair of sneakers -- died at the age of 71 after battling cancer.

Most people, especially in the cities where Walton played, were in the mood to remember Bill ... just not like this.

NBA coach James Borrego is certainly taking a liking to Los Angeles lately ... popping up in town amid reports the current New Orleans Pelicans assistant is a lead candidate for the Lakers' job opening.

The 46-year-old landed at LAX on Tuesday ... and cameras were quick to ask him if he was taking a business trip -- specifically, one that could result in him donning the Purple and Gold next season.

Borrego was tight-lipped on everything ... but his presence could mean the Lakers are close to making him an offer, as outlets stated the team already had a formal interview with the former Hornets head coach.

Bronny James is done playing college basketball ... his agent, Rich Paul, said Tuesday the 19-year-old is staying in this year's NBA draft class.

LeBron James' kid had until Wednesday night to make the decision ... but Paul told ESPN the former USC star's mind is already made up.

"He's staying in the draft," Paul said.

Derrick Rose's face will look a little bit different the next time he steps on an NBA court ... as the Memphis Grizzlies star just got some new ink needled onto the side of his mug.

The 35-year-old point guard got the tattoos done by his go-to guy Jose Guijosa, a.k.a Killer Tattoos, over Memorial Day Weekend.

One sits on his cheek, just to the left of his left ear, and features the letters "AAA" -- which Guijosa tells TMZ Sports is an homage to Rose's wife, Alaina A. Anderson.

Two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas says he had a terrifying experience over the weekend ... when he and his friends came face-to-face with a kid wielding a gun -- and he believes his fame very well might have saved his life.

The Phoenix Suns guard opened up about the encounter on X ... saying it was a truly "life changing moment."

He claimed his group was out and about in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington on Monday -- when they were approached by a kid carrying an AK-47.

The beef between Celtics fans and Kyrie Irving is back, full throttle ... Boston fans chanted 'F*** Kyrie' as they celebrated their NBA Finals berth in the city streets!

Mind you, Irving and the Dallas Mavericks haven't even advanced to the NBA Finals yet, but being up 3-0 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, they're advancing to the Finals, barring a historic collapse.

So, Celtics fans know more than likely their 18th championship will have to go through Kyrie and the Mavs ... thus the shade-throwing at their former star guard.

The Boston Celtics paid tribute to the late Bill Walton right after securing their spot in the NBA Finals ... with team owner Wyc Grousbeck honoring the NBA great during their post-game celebration.

The Cs finished off the Indiana Pacers with a 105-102 victory in Game 4 on Monday ... and when Grousbeck received the Eastern Conference Finals championship trophy, he acknowledged the tragic loss that was announced hours prior to the matchup.

"All I can think about right now is we lost a great Celtic today," the entrepreneur said during the ceremony. "Bill Walton, one of the greatest Celtics of all time, this is dedicated to Bill."

2:27 PM PT -- Tributes for Bill are pouring in from all over the world -- and, former President Barack Obama even posted in his honor -- remembering Bill as a grinder on the court and for his wonderful spirit off it.

Bill Walton -- the NBA legend who delighted fans for decades both on the court and in the commentary booth -- has died, according to the NBA.

The league put out a press release Monday morning announcing the sad news ... saying Bill passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family when he passed.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remembers Bill as a dominant force on the court and a colorful personality off it ... while also lauding Bill for his positive, upbeat personality at league events.

Travis Kelce got an unwelcome welcome at Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals ... some pretty thunderous boos!!!

Travis and teammate Patrick Mahomes were sitting courtside when they were shown on the video board and announced. Travis got some cheer, but lots of boos, and he seemed a bit taken aback, but still smiling.

Then his QB was announced, and the reception was way friendlier ... lots of cheers and PM stood up to hype up the crowd. Brittany was sitting by his side, basking in her hubby's glow.

Ivica Zubac's Los Angeles-area house was broken into and burglarized late Wednesday night ... and now LAPD is on the lookout for the people responsible!

TMZ Sports has learned three people were spotted inside the 27-year-old's crib around 11:30 PM on May 22. The 7-foot tall center was not home at the time ... but the burglars were somehow spotted, either by a witness on the grounds, or through a surveillance camera, and police were called to the scene.

Cops took a burglary report and are investigating.

Steph Curry may be known for sinking threes ... but, ya gotta think four's his new favorite number -- 'cause he just announced the birth of his fourth kid!

The Golden State Warriors star took to Instagram to tell his followers he and his wife Ayesha added a little one to their roster ... posting a black and white photo of what looks like his hand wrapped around his baby boy's tiny arm.

Curry says his son decided to come a little earlier than expected ... adding he was born May 11 before noting he's happy, healthy and settling into their new family of six.

JJ Redick is a legit candidate for the Lakers head -- despite never having spent a minute on the bench -- and Byron Scott isn't sold on the idea quite yet!

The 3x NBA champ and former longtime NBA head coach talked to TMZ Sports this week about Redick -- a 15 seasons NBA vet -- and the prospects of him landing one of the most coveted jobs in all of sports ... L.A. Lakers head coach.

"It's hard jumping in that seat as a first-time head coach," Scott said.

Fill in the gravesite and call off the funeral ... Adam Silver says despite all the perception of doom and gloom surrounding the NBA's current negotiations with TNT -- the talks between the sides are NOT dead yet.

The Association's commissioner made it clear while outside of Thursday's White House state dinner in D.C. that he and his org. are still very much open to getting a new deal done with TNT -- this despite reports the parties are far off.

Silver didn't elaborate on where exactly each side is ... but he said, "We're all still talking."