NBA

Shaquille O'Neal is keeping his foot on the gas when it comes to Joel Embiid ... continuing to go after the Philadelphia 76ers superstar and saying if he doesn't make some serious changes, he'll never win a championship.

Shaq's blunt assessment came during halftime of the Sixers' matchup with the New York Knicks ... after Embiid put up eight points through two quarters -- all of which came from the free-throw line, as he was 0-3 from the field.

Diesel was clearly unpleased with Embiid's season debut -- especially after the big man expressed his desire to take games off to preserve his health for the playoffs -- and didn't sugarcoat how he felt on the whole situation.

Klay Thompson returned to The Bay for the first time as a Dallas Maverick -- facing the Warriors -- and after knocking down a big 3, the 4x NBA champ mimicked his old teammate Steph Curry's infamous shimmy.

But, the Chef got the last laugh.

The intense game went down Tuesday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Thompson's first matchup against his former team since trading him in July after 11 seasons.

Scary scene on the NBA hardwood Tuesday night ... Pistons wing Tim Hardaway Jr. terrifyingly slammed his head on the ground -- and needed a wheelchair to leave the game.

The scene all unfolded in the third quarter of Detroit's matchup with the Heat at Little Caesars Arena ... when Hardaway Jr. attempted to play some physical defense against Tyler Herro.

The 32-year-old stepped in front of the driving Miami star in an effort to draw a charge ... but Herro was coming in with so much speed, he knocked Hardaway Jr. to the floor.

Ex-NBA player Kyle Singler's recent social media activity has the basketball community concerned ... with several pros offering their support after the former Duke star shared two alarming videos on his Instagram page.

The 36-year-old shared the first clip Monday night ... showing him shirtless and barefoot in a home as he claimed he felt his "voice is getting silenced."

"I have been mistreated and abused, neglected, made into a mental example, and I fear for my life every day, and people in my community make me look out as if I'm gonna be someone that's gonna be a problem and make things difficult for people when I'm only trying to be helpful," the 33rd overall pick in the 2011 draft said.

Toronto forward RJ Barrett was so starstruck by a "Game Of Thrones" actor who was sitting courtside at his game in L.A. on Sunday -- he actually briefly paused his play to recognize the guy ... and the scene was hilarious.

It all went down during the Raptors' tilt against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena ... just after Barrett had been fouled while scoring a basket in the first quarter.

Video from the game's broadcast shows the 24-year-old walk toward some fans in the stands to celebrate his potential 3-point play ... he did a double take as he noticed Nikolaj Coster-Waldau -- the man who played Jaime Lannister in 'GOT.'

Sofia Jamora is opening up on the abuse she says she suffered at the hands of Jaxson Hayes ... just over a week after TMZ Sports published video showing the Lakers center pushing and spitting on the popular model.

"I want to thank everyone for all of your love, support, and kind messages. I am so touched, moved, and motivated by all of you. Your words have warmed my heart and made me feel seen in a way I never imagined. As a survivor of domestic violence, I wanted to share that you are not alone," 27-year-old Jamora wrote on Instagram Monday morning.

"I loved someone I trusted with my safety and well-being. Going through that experience was difficult, but every day now, I feel grateful simply to be here, healing and reclaiming my life. If you are struggling with abuse, please know that you don't have to go through it by yourself -- find someone you trust, a loved one, a counselor, or even your local authorities. There is help out there, and there is hope."

LeBron James has recorded 144 triple-doubles in his 22-year career ... but his most recent one came with a massive assist from a fan in the stands -- 'cause the G.O.A.T. admitted the spectator played a role in securing the stacked stat line.

With under two minutes remaining in Sunday's contest against the Toronto Raptors, James picked up rebound No. 10 on the night -- which officially put him at the triple-double mark. After he grabbed the board, the King pointed into the crowd before taking the ball up the court.

In his postgame interview, a reporter asked him about the moment ... and he explained somebody was shouting for him to grab one more rebound -- which caught his attention.

Ex-NBA star Stephon Marbury believes his New York Knicks are in a position to win a championship right now ... but tells TMZ Sports he wouldn't mind adding a few more key players along the way.

We caught up with Starbury out in NYC this week ... and had to ask about all the speculation surrounding his former team's interest in acquiring two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

While Marbury didn't really weigh in on Giannis specifically, he did say he'd hold the door open for any major talent ... as long as they mesh with the other guys on the current roster.

Delonte West has been arrested yet again, TMZ Sports has learned.

The Fairfax County Police Department tells us ... the former NBA star was thrown behind bars in Virginia on Nov. 2 -- after he was accused of trespassing.

The FCPD says the allegations came down on Nov. 1 ... after a person reported that West would not leave an area in Huntington that he was banned from. The FCPD claims the complainant showed officers video surveillance that corroborated their story. A warrant for West's arrest was obtained a short time later.

The Bronny James effect has made its way to the G League ... with ticket prices surging after it was announced the Lakers rookie would make his debut with the team's affiliate in South Bay this weekend.

As we previously reported, LeBron's son will split time between the NBA and its developmental league for the foreseeable future ... with the 20-year-old slated to play in South Bay's home contests.

Tickets for Saturday's game against Salt Lake City at the UCLA Health Training Center were around $58 on popular platforms at the time of the announcement ... but in the hours following, they've become increasingly more pricey.

Forget dinner and a movie ... Simone Biles and her husband, Bears safety Jonathan Owens, had something else in mind for date night in Chicago -- a Bulls game!

The famous couple were even gifted custom jerseys by the organization for pullin' up.

Simone and Jonathan -- who married in 2023 -- were spotted sitting courtside at the United Center on Thursday to watch Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves face their Bulls.

Lamar Odom's giving a whole new meaning to the nickname "dollface" ... 'cause he just ordered his own custom sex doll -- and, he wants it to look like his ex Khloe Kardashian!

The former NBA star went on a NSFW Willy Wonka-level tour of RealDoll's Las Vegas facility Tuesday ... full of totally nude female sex dolls hanging on hooks and huge realistic male organs -- and, Lamar got to touch everything in the facility.

Ya gotta watch the clip ... Lamar's walking through the facility -- picking up dildos and whipping them around before copping a feel of one doll's boobs, touching her all over and saying it almost makes him want to design women's fashion.

Bronny James is getting sent to the G League -- at least on a temporary basis -- with reports claiming the NBA rookie will now split time with the Lakers and their developmental affiliate.

The news was broken by Shams Charania just now ... with the insider stating LeBron's son got the call to head to the South Bay Lakers on Thursday.

Bronny will make his debut with South Bay on Saturday against Salt Lake City ... but will also be with the big dogs for Friday's home matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive is making it known he's got DeMar DeRozan's back amid the hooper's feud with Drake ... rocking a Kendrick Lamar shirt courtside when the Raptors came to town!

Cameras spotted the 67-year-old wearing a tee that said "They Not Like Us" for Wednesday's contest at the Golden One Center in Sacramento -- a clear message to the Toronto-based rapper after comments he made on Saturday's broadcast.

The beef was ignited after Drake was asked if the Raptors should retire DeRozan's jersey -- after having spent nine seasons in the Six.

The Trae Young vs. Knicks fans rivalry is back in full effect -- the Atlanta Hawks star jawed at a couple of New York supporters after their first matchup of the season -- telling 'em to skedaddle back to the Big Apple!!

The Knicks were in Atlanta to face the Hawks on Wednesday ... and their diehard supporters made the trip to check out the action -- making their hate for Young known throughout the contest.

But the three-time All-Star got the last laugh ... 'cause the Hawks won 121-116, with help from his 23 points.

The reporter Joel Embiid shoved after a game this weekend will continue to go about his day job ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the Philadelphia Inquirer is not pulling him from his Sixers beat after a confrontation with the NBA superstar.

Marcus Hayes -- a columnist at the outlet -- drew backlash after criticizing Embiid for not suiting up for games ... mentioning his late brother and son in a since-edited piece.

Embiid was furious over Hayes' words ... and approached the journalist after the Sixers' home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, pushing him in the shoulder in the process.