NBA

Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter could be booted from the NBA for LIFE if the league finds the gambling allegations made against him are true ... with commissioner Adam Silver calling the bombshell accusations a "cardinal sin."

Porter -- who hasn't played since the claims were made public last month -- has been under fire over two games in particular this season ... when sportsbooks noticed some head-scratching activity on prop bets involving the big man.

The 24-year-old left both games early due to either injury or illness ... meaning folks who hammered the under on any Porter bets would be in for a big payday.

Porter could be in a world of trouble if the NBA determines he had anything to do with the betting activity ... 'cause Silver made it crystal clear he's not taking the claims lightly.

"I have enormous range of discipline available to me," Silver said at the league's board of governors meetings this week. "It's cardinal sin what he’s accused of in the NBA."

"The ultimate extreme option I have is to ban him from the game. That’s the level of authority I have here because there’s nothing more serious."

There are apparently critics of Bronny James' game in NBA front offices too ... 'cause one general manager declared this week LeBron's kid is "nowhere near ready" to play in the Association right now.

The GM made the comments to The Ringer's Dan Conner ... while speaking under the condition of anonymity.

It didn't seem the exec absolutely loathed the 19-year-old's skillset -- in fact, he appeared to praise the teen's defensive ability -- but he seemed to make it clear that LBJ Jr. needs more seasoning before he can thrive in the pros like Dad.

11:23 AM PT -- Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Kim and Peter are just friends, and they just so happened to be sitting next to each other at the game. So ... no funny business.

Kim Kardashian reunited with a guy who used to hang out with her and her ex-husband Kris Humphries -- and even all this time later ... they look real friendly, especially courtside.

The reality star went to the Lakers game in L.A. Tuesday night with her daughter, North, and some pals -- and yes ... she had a front-row seat to all the action ... as did basketball player-turned-real-estate-agent Peter Cornell, who was plopped down next to Kim at one point.

They were photographed chatting it up and flashing big smiles as they watched the game seated next to Will Ferrell ... and it's interesting considering their history. If you didn't know, these two go way back.

Kim Kardashian estuvo con un hombre con el que solía pasar mucho tiempo junto a su exmarido, Kris Humphries, y a pesar de todo el tiempo que ha pasado desde entonces, ambos se veían muy amigables, especialmente en la cancha.

La estrella de los reality shows fue al partido de los Lakers en Los Ángeles el martes por la noche con su hija North y algunos amigos, y se sentó en un asiento en primera fila al igual que el jugador de baloncesto ahora convertido en agente inmobiliario Peter Cornell, que se acomodó al lado de Kim en un momento dado.

Ambos fueron fotografiados conversando y sonriendo mientras veían el partido, justo al lado de Will Ferrell, lo que es interesante teniendo en cuenta su historia. Por si no lo sabías, estos dos se conocen desde hace mucho tiempo.

The errors on the Kobe Bryant statue have been fixed ... the Lakers just made the corrections to the Mamba's life-sized tribute earlier Tuesday.

There were several problems on the figurine's base -- where a few names, including Jose Calderon and Von Wafer, were misspelled. The word "decision" in "Coach's Decision" was also wrongfully written twice as "decicion."

On March 11, right around the time the public discovered the problems, the Lakers said in a statement they had been aware of the issues for several weeks ... and had vowed to fix them.

Ja Morant is one step closer to winning a lawsuit against the teenager who he punched during an altercation in a pickup basketball game two years ago ... a judge just ruled the NBA superstar was acting in self-defense when he hit the minor.

Joshua Holloway, who was 17 years old at the time of the incident, sued Morant back in Sept. 2022, alleging the Grizzlies point guard roughed him up while the two were competing on a basketball court at Ja's Eads, Tenn. home.

Holloway claimed that during an in-game argument, he threw a ball at Morant and accidentally hit him in the face. He alleged Morant then became enraged, and socked him with a closed fist.

Devin Booker's trying to set the record straight about his hair ... after a viral video caused fans to question whether the NBA star was rockin' a wig!

But, Book seems to be saying he's au natural.

The video in question shows a person, purported to be an NBA player, with advanced male pattern baldness, sitting in a barber chair with his face obscured ... as a stylist applies glue, and ultimately a toupee.

Social media detectives began theorizing who the unnamed NBA player could be ... with the top guess being 27-year-old Booker.

The jokes went so far, the Suns star actually took to X to deny it was him.

“Yall got me messed up lol,” DB wrote ... seemingly indicating he is NOT the dude in the vid.

Of course, Booker, who dated Kendall Jenner, is widely regarded as one of the best-looking players in the NBA … so it’s no surprise fans felt betrayed by the prospect of the Suns star deceiving the public with his lack of locks.

It's not the first time an athlete has been trolled for his hairdo ... which LeBron James can testify to. Bron isn't alone ... Carlos Boozer was clowned back in the day for rocking spray-on hair in 2012. There are others ... Jimmy Butler and so on.

Larsa Pippen's clearly handling her split with Marcus Jordan well -- she just revealed she still looks incredible in a bikini ... while teasing that it's only going to get better from here!!

Scottie's ex posted the thirst trap to her Instagram page Tuesday morning ... showing she's been in the gym while getting through her recent breakup.

And, the 49-year-old appeared to promise that she's going to look sexier as the weather heats up ... writing in a caption on the pic, "Gearing up for the summer."

While many fans in Lexington celebrate the departure of Kentucky coach John Calipari, the wife of former star player Julius Randle is revealing something previously unknown about the famed HC -- he saved her grandma's life!

"4 years ago my grandmother was very sick in a small hospital in eastern KY. Julius called Coach Cal and asked if there was anyone he knew that could get her transferred to UK hospital," Kendra Randle wrote on X, recalling a story from several years back.

She continued ... "15 mins later she was in a helicopter to UK and I still to this day believe he saved her life."

Of course, Kendra tells the story as Calipari is headed to the University of Arkansas ... after a decade and a half at the helm of the program. JC, hired in 2009, won a National Championship in 2012.

Kendra, who was a student at UK (that's where she met her future hubby), isn't pleased with the move.

"I’m not well😫 we love you forever Coach Cal💙 BBN 4L," KR wrote.

FYI, Julius played one season under Cal, 2013-2014 ... where he averaged 15 points per game and over 10 rebounds. JR was the 7th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Despite the fact he's no longer at Kentucky, Cal will always hold a place in the hearts of the Randle family.

Russell Westbrook helped the Clippers take down the Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon, and afterward, he beat up Tristan Thompson's ego too ... taunting Khloe Kardashian's ex right on the court following the game.

It all happened after Russ and L.A. came back from down 26 points to beat Cleveland at Crypto.com Arena, 120-118.

Video shows after the final buzzer sounded, Russ appeared to point at Thompson, before he threw his hands in the air in a mocking fashion. Westbrook then repeated the gesture over and over again.

It's unclear why exactly Westbrook went after the Cavs center -- some online have speculated it was due to Tristan aggressively cheering on his team from the bench during the game -- but nonetheless, Thompson didn't like it one bit.

Check out the footage, the 33-year-old looked pissed as he walked to confront Russ over the taunts ... although, thankfully, one of Westbrook's teammates intercepted him before things could escalate.

The two then left the court without further issue.

Westbrook certainly had rights to brag following the victory, he logged eight points, seven rebounds and six assists in 25 minutes. Thompson, meanwhile, did not play.

Byron Scott is ready to go back to college ... he tells TMZ Sports he wants to be the head basketball coach of a university!!

The former NBA star -- who spent years managing pro players after his hoopin' days ended -- said after watching March Madness these past couple seasons ... he's got an itch to get on the bench at a school somewhere in the nation.

"I've got that bug," he told us.

Baron Davis está de acuerdo con la decisión de Bronny James de presentarse al draft de la NBA y le dice a TMZ Sports que ve muy posible que el hijo de LeBron sea mucho mejor como jugador profesional que como jugador de baloncesto universitario.

La ex estrella de los Clippers compartió sus pensamientos sobre el asunto en LAX el viernes por la tarde, pocas horas después de que Bronny anunciara que va a probar suerte en las aguas de la NBA mientras deja la puerta abierta para un regreso a la escuela.

Davis dijo que podía ver a Bronny siendo reclutado por una organización, a pesar de una temporada de primer año más o menos tranquila en USC, explicando que el juego profesional podría adaptarse mejor a él.

Baron Davis is in favor of Bronny James' decision to declare for the NBA draft ... telling TMZ Sports he thinks it's very possible LeBron's kid turns out to be a far better pro than a college basketball player.

The former Clippers star gave us his thoughts on the matter out at LAX on Friday afternoon ... just hours after Bronny said he'll test the NBA waters while leaving the door open for a return to school.

Davis said he could see Bronny getting picked up by an org despite a quiet freshman season at USC ... explaining the pro game simply might fit him better.

J. Cole threw Kendrick Lamar's iconic "To Pimp a Butterfly" album under the bus on his "7 Minute Drill" diss -- an ultimate no-no from Baron Davis' POV.

It's one of the proud L.A. native's fav albums of all time ... point, blank period!!!

TMZ Hip Hop got up with B. Diddy at LAX on Friday and the "NBA on TNT" cohost repped his beloved West Coast and sided with Kendrick in his battle with Cole ... but still wants to hear from Drake like the rest of us!!!

Baron saluted all parties involved for giving hip hop some pizazz again ... and even thinks Kendrick should follow through and diss Cole again.

Cole knocked the jazzy 'TPAB' as all hype when he rapped, "Your second s*** put n****s to sleep, but they gassed it" ... Baron notes 'TPAB' as a cultural movement that would go on to soundtrack the George Floyd protests of 2020.

The 'Butterfly' nerve was also struck for several L.A.-based rappers, including Kendrick's former label prez who now believes the "King Kunta" MC has secret haters in the industry!!!

Baron's been dabbling in rap under the name "Bart Oatmeal" for the past few years himself and tells us it's been a new creative outlet for him.

Bronny James is doing the right thing by keeping his basketball options open ... so says ex-NBA player and coach Byron Scott, who tells TMZ Sports he personally thinks the young hooper should stay in school another year.

The 19-year-old USC Trojan announced his plans to enter the NBA Draft on Friday ... saying he will explore the interest from teams at the next level while maintaining his NCAA eligibility and entering the transfer protocol.

We spoke with Scott about the big hoop news ... and he tells us the former four-star recruit's smart by leaving doors open.

"Not surprised, not shocked," Scott said of James' announcement. "I think Bronny and, obviously, his dad and Klutch Sports, they've probably been thinking about this for a while and how to kind of go about it."

"So him entering his name in the draft and also in the portal -- I think he’s just weighing his options to see where he can probably get drafted, and then if he doesn’t like that and likes a situation where he can go play college basketball for another year, then I think it’s the best of both worlds. I think he’s in a great position."

Bronny will almost certainly have a new home no matter what he decides to do ... and if that's a different university, Scott sees LeBron's eldest son being highly coveted in the 2025 NBA Draft.

"You know what, to be honest with you, I think one more year of college wouldn’t hurt him," Scott added. "I think he has some great skills, there’s no doubt about that -- he knows how to play the game, he’s got a great basketball IQ, but playing one more year and being almost kind of featured, I think would really really solidify him in the next NBA Draft."

Bronny James ha decidido entrar al Draft de la NBA en 2024. El estudiante de primer año de USC ha lanzado oficialmente su nombre para ser considerado para el siguiente nivel, pero eso no significa que su carrera universitaria haya terminado para siempre.

La noticia se dio a conocer hace apenas unos minutos. El hijo de 19 años de LeBron James pasará por el proceso profesional, entrenando y visitando equipos antes del draft.

Ahora, no esperen que la pandilla James se una a la Asociación todavía. Bronny compartió una declaración sobre la decisión diciendo que mantendrá su elegibilidad universitaria y entrará en el protocolo de transferencia de la NCAA.