NBA

Caitlin Clark was slated to make AT LEAST $15 million if she had agreed to suit up for Ice Cube's Big3 ... so says league co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz, who's revealing more eye-popping details on the lucrative offer.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the former Iowa basketball superstar was presented a historic $5 million deal to play just 10 games for the 3-on-3 organization last month -- while still being able to pursue a WNBA career.

Kwatinetz revealed in an article for OutKick he believes the "male agents and executives controlling the sport" never actually told Clark about the contract ... which is a big loss for her bank account.

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton says his little brother was called the n-word while he was sitting in the stands watching Indiana's game vs. Milwaukee over the weekend.

The two-time All-Star made the revelation during a meeting with reporters following Indiana's playoff victory over the Bucks on Tuesday night ... saying the racial slur was hurled at some point in Game 1 of the series in Wisconsin on Sunday.

Haliburton didn't go into detail about how it all went down ... or how his family and the Bucks reacted ... but he did say his brother "has handled that the right way" in the wake of it all.

8:20 AM PT -- TMZ Sports has learned ... the NBA is currently looking into the situation.

Nikola Jokic's brother was in no mood to celebrate the Nuggets' comeback win over the Lakers on Monday ... 'cause he straight-up punched a fan in the stands at the playoff game -- and it's all on video.

According to witnesses, the violent incident went down shortly after Joker and his Denver teammates completed their 101-99 win against LeBron James and co. to go up 2-0 in the first-round series.

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart loooooves his Mike and Ike ... and the feeling is mutual -- 'cause the candy brand tells TMZ Sports it's always making sure to keep the hooper "well-stocked" on supply!!

Hart had social media in stitches after the Knicks’ down-to-the-wire playoff win over the Sixers Monday night -- celebrating the victory with a box of the fruit-flavored sweets during his postgame press conference, just like he did last postseason.

The 29-year-old couldn’t wait until he left the podium to enjoy his favorite treat ... forcing Jalen Brunson to hilariously get distracted as he answered questions.

Law enforcement officials are actively trying to track down the man who got clocked by Nikola Jokic's brother on Monday ... with cops hoping people come forward to help with its investigation into the incident.

TMZ Sports has learned -- Denver PD has seen the footage of Strahinja Jokic punching a spectator in the stands after the Nuggets' Game 2 win over the Lakers on Monday ... but as of right now, no one has filed a report claiming to be a victim.

We're told police are reviewing the clip circulating social media in hopes of identifying the man ... but they're also calling on any witnesses or other people involved to step up and talk.

Dwight Howard is vowing to help Taiwan after the country was hit with a major earthquake earlier this month -- and dozens of smaller tremors since -- with the hoops star promising to return to the island.

The former NBA superstar, who signed with Taiwan's Taoquan Leopards in 2022, made a video message on Monday expressing concern for the Taiwanese people.

"I know a lot of people are still shaken up by just being in an earthquake," Howard said.

LeBron James' heart was broken after a last-second loss Monday night, but his mouth sure worked fine -- as he spent part of his postgame meeting with media members railing on NBA officiating.

Shortly after LBJ's Lakers blew a huge lead and lost to the Nuggets, 101-99, in Denver ... James fielded questions about the playoff L for several minutes.

Eventually, he was asked about how tough it will be to bounce back from the buzzer-beater defeat -- but instead of answering the inquiry, he decided to go off on some of the calls that were made during the game.

Some NBA hoopers think Rudy Gobert is the most overrated player in the league ... but his partner, Julia Bonilla, says those guys are dead wrong -- passionately defending the Minnesota Timberwolves star on social media.

The Athletic dropped the results of its anonymous player survey on Monday ... and as it turns out, 11 out of 81 of the participants claimed the three-time Defensive Player of the Year ain't all that.

Bonilla -- who is expecting a child with Gobert -- got wind of the big man's new title ... and it's safe to say she's pissed, 'cause she fired back at the criticism with an Instagram post.

"My partner is the most dedicated, focused, hard-working person I have ever met," Bonilla said. "He hasn't stolen anything from anyone and deserves all the respect for his determination and commitment to his career."

"It's hard for me to stay quiet in front of so much stupidity, disrespect and nonsense," she added. "I am so proud of the person he is -- fair, a great teammate, with a good heart and a strong mind."

Of course, the Wolves are in the middle of a first-round playoff matchup with the Phoenix Suns ... and Bonilla said she's pulling for her man's team throughout the run.

"I am proud of you, and our son is proud of you."

As we previously reported, Gobert and Bonilla went public with the pregnancy back in February ... and a few weeks later, he told TMZ Sports it was a "blessing" to start a family.

Dwyane Wade's annual "High Dining" dinner, in honor of 420, went down with several of the NBA great's famous pals rolling up to join the festivities -- including a few surprises.

TMZ got vid of D. Wade and the founders of Jeeter -- the cannabis co. behind the event -- connecting Saturday night. Dwyane is a board member for the brand, so they've made a habit of blowing out 420 every year with a celeb-packed evening.

Organizers connected to the event tell us the high-grade guest list included Zachary Levi, Jay Ellis, Jeff Ross, Seth Green, Karrueche Tran, Nazanin Mandi, Jozzy, Armani White and Freddie Prinze Jr. ... who all partook in the 3-course meal along with other festivities.

His wife Gabrielle Union stood in as magician Kevin Li's assistant -- thankfully everyone kept their hands to themselves, and no one was sliced and diced on the table. 👀

The event also debuted Jeeter and the Bob Marley estate's master collaboration -- a 4.2-gram pre-roll packaged in a guitar case ... in other words, a Jah-endorsed rollout!

Bob's grandson, Grammy-nominated singer Skip Marley also performed "Jamming" and "One Love" -- and the significance of having the latest generation of Marley hitmakers present needed no explanation.

GloRilla's not letting Damian Lillard's estranged wife get her down ... turning a roast on its head by embracing a new nickname she gave her.

The rapper posted a video to her IG story showing off her fresh new jersey ... a yellow crop top-esque fit with red lettering on the back reading "GloLillard" with Dame's number "0" below it.

It's a pretty friendly shot clap back at Lillard's estranged wife Kay'La who the Milwaukee Bucks star filed for divorce from back in October.

Philadelphia 76ers hooper Kelly Oubre Jr. just gave the New York Knicks some bulletin board material ahead of their playoff matchup ... claiming the famous fans at Madison Square Garden couldn't give two craps about the games.

KO fired off the hot take at Sixers practice on Friday ... initially praising the diehard supporters and the basketball atmosphere in the Big Apple -- before turning heel REAL quick.

"The fans are pretty crazy," Oubre told reporters. "They have a really good culture of being wild and loving basketball to the root and the core of it. It's definitely called the 'Mecca of Basketball' for a reason. The lights are super bright."

Seems LeBron James does indeed think he's passed Michael Jordan as the NBA's best ever ... 'cause during a backyard hoops session with his son on Thursday night, he bragged repeatedly that he's the "G.O.A.T.!!!"

LBJ and his 16-year-old boy, Bryce, were getting some late-night shots up at their ritzy mansion in Los Angeles ... when for some reason, the young James started chirpin' at Dad.

The teen called the Lakers superstar "trash" ... and said over and over again he would miss his next shot.

Don't stick a fork in Larcus after all ... Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan look like a couple once more -- as they were seen getting close Wednesday on a beach day date in Miami.

The on-again, off-again pair were spotted enjoying each other's company under the South Florida sun ... holding hands, snuggling on lounge chairs, and sharing beverages out of a coconut.

Marcus was also seen chattin' it up with a few other hotties in the area before Larsa arrived -- looking somewhat flirty -- but, take a peek at how he interacted with Pippen once she got to the sand ... it sure seems the spark between the duo has been ignited yet again.

Damian Lillard's estranged wife was apparently not a fan of GloRilla recently shooting her shot at the NBA superstar ... the hooper's ex clowned the Memphis rapper shortly after she was arrested for DUI.

GloRilla was arrested in Georgia on Tuesday for suspicion of driving under the influence, consuming/possessing an open alcoholic beverage container, as well as another traffic charge.

Kay'La -- who was married to Dame from September 2021 until he filed for divorce in October 2023 -- saw the legal trouble as an opportunity to roast the rapper ... this after she said she wanted to be with the Milwaukee Bucks guard.

Comedy star Brad Williams says Blake Griffin could easily go from setting screens to setting up jokes now that he's retired from the NBA ... telling TMZ Sports the former hooper is legitimately good at standup.

Williams said out in L.A. on Tuesday -- just hours after Griffin announced he was hanging up his basketball sneakers -- that he's seen the ex-Clippers forward rock the mic before ... and he's been seriously impressed.

And, Williams told us if Griffin uses his newfound free time to really commit to standup -- he could be a real player in the comedy world.