LeBron James celebrated his girlfriend's 25th birthday last night with a romantic double date in New York ... alongside fellow NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony and his wife ... and TMZ has the footage.

The foursome was all smiles as they left the Waverly Inn in NYC -- but the biggest question ... WHO  PAID?


The Waverly Inn ain't cheap -- but LeBron is in the middle of a 6-year $110 million contract and Carmelo recently inked a deal with the Knicks worth $65 million for 3 years.

So ...

Fun fact: Checkout LeBron's response when we ask if there's going to be hoops this season. His answer  ... optimistic. Sorta.

LeBron James slam dunked into Barcelona by jumping off a high dive overlooking the city and into an Olympic pool on Monday.

He really knows how to make a splash.

LeBron James was greeted by a massive swarm of fans trying to take his picture at an event in Shanghai, China on Wednesday.

Facebook is banned in China, so what's the point of taking anyone's photo?

Miami Heat star Chris Bosh adamantly denies sabotaging his baby mama's career on "Basketball Wives," TMZ has learned -- months after she accused him of turning the show's producers against her.

As we previously reported, Bosh's ex Allison Mathis claims she had brokered a $250,000 deal with "BW" producers to appear on the show -- but Bosh threatened to sue if that happened, so the producers caved ... and axed Allison after she had already taped two episodes.

But Bosh claims it's all BS -- firing back with his own legal docs in Orange County, Florida ... insisting it's not his fault producers decided to cut Allison from the show.

According to Bosh, whatever he may or may not have said to producers ... his intention was never to ruin Allison's career -- he was merely "acting to protect his own economic or financial interests."

As a result, Bosh insists he shouldn't have to pay Allison squat for the entire ordeal -- and wants a judge to trash her lawsuit.

Calls to Allison's attorney were not returned.