Basketball

So, Kyrie Irving was doing a nice thing ... visiting kids at a local children's hospital when one of the kids hilariously LIT HIM UP -- and it was all 'cause of Duke!!

Uncle Drew and his Celtics teammates threw on some goofy Christmas hats and hit up Boston Children's Hospital on Tuesday ... singing carols and handing out special shoes to the tough kids getting treatment.

The kind gesture didn't keep K.I. from hilariously getting into it with one of the kids ... who gladly pointed out Irving's Blue Devils lost to Gonzaga earlier this season.

"Who won the Duke vs. Gonzaga game?!" the boy asks.

"You didn't have to bring Duke into it. Duke is fine, we were good! We're good!!" Irving clapped back ... "That's why you so mad, 'cause we're Duke!!"

The whole exchange is obviously in good fun -- and ya gotta give it up for the kid who never backed down from the NBA superstar!

Props to everyone involved.

12/4 10:40 AM PT -- The move cost Beverley a nice chunk of change ... 'cause he just got slapped with a $25,000 fine for "throwing the game ball at a spectator," the NBA announced Tuesday.

L.A. Clippers player Patrick Beverley fired a basketball at a courtside heckler Sunday night after the fan allegedly said, "F*ck your mother" ... the 2nd major incident between a player and a Mavs fan in 2 weeks.

The 30-year-old guard had reportedly been trading verbal jabs with Don Knobler -- a local celeb in Dallas -- throughout the Clippers' game on Sunday ... when things reached a boiling point in the 4th quarter.

So, what set Beverley off? Don't talk about his mother.

Beverley grabbed the ball and threw it at Knobler -- who calmly collected it after it struck him in the leg. Beverley was ejected.

After the game, Beverley told reporters Knobler said, "F*ck your mother" twice.

Knobler later admitted to talking about Patrick's mom but denies using the f-bomb in his trash talk.

Seems Mavs fans have really been getting to opponents lately -- it was just Nov. 17 when Kevin Durant cussed out a different courtside fan who had been running his mouth.

Durant was fined $25,000 for the incident. He later bashed the heckler as "corny and weak."

In both instances, Durant and Beverley alerted refs and security about the heckling fans ... but ultimately took matters into their own hands.

Tristan Thompson has something in common with Kevin Durant -- he's finally lost it with hecklers.

T.T. snapped at the end of the Cavs-Nets game Monday night ... flipping off some courtside fans after Cleveland sealed the W.

The dudes on the receiving end were pretty shocked ... you can hear them yelling, "Get out of here, you bum" and "someone's gotta get that on video!"

Of course ... it wasn't as bad as K.D. telling a courtside fan to "watch the f**king game and shut the f**k up" -- but Tristan's DEFINITELY still about to get fined for the incident.

Doesn't seem T.T. cares all that much ... guy's on a hell of a double-double run -- and Cleveland finally snapped its losing streak, which had Tristan feeling himself after the game.

"They better put some respect on my name," he said.

FYI ... Durant was popped $25k for yelling at his heckler earlier this season -- and Patrick Beverley is expected to get more than that for throwing a ball at a fan during a game over the weekend.

Seems these guys really do need to take some advice from Michael Richards ...

Pete Davidson gets by with a little help from his friends ... and courtside seats at the Knicks game.

The 'SNL' star looked like he was really enjoying himself Monday night at Madison Square Garden, as he watched his NY Knicks take on the visiting Washington Wizards. Pete was smiling and having a drink while seated next to his pals -- comedian John Mulaney and actress Chloe Sevigny.

Not sure who the guy in the Washington shirt is, but he should be happier now ... his team won.

Pete's good time came hours after he addressed online the public bullying he's been dealing with since his relationship with Ariana Grande began ... and after it ended. Pete blasted the trolls for harassing him, saying ... "No matter how hard the internet or anyone tries to make me kill myself. I won't."

Grande responded online early this morning, telling her fans to "be gentler" with Pete and others ... saying she cares deeply about Davidson and his health. She added ... "I will always have irrevocable love for him and if you've gotten any other impression from my recent work, you might have missed the point."

No look passes, deep 3s, and rim-shakin' dunks.

Yep, Bronny James is basically a 5'10" version of LeBron James ... and the NBA superstar's 14-year-old son put on an absolute clinic in his Crossroads debut on Monday ... droppin' 27 points!!

King James' kid suited up for the Roadrunners for the first time since making the move to California ... sporting Bron's iconic #23 jersey and dominating the game just like Daddy.

Remember, he's only an 8th grader.

LBJ loved what he saw ... cheering on Bronny from the stands throughout the game.

According to reports, school officials tried to keep the game quiet -- meaning, there wasn't a massive publicity push to draw eyeballs to watch James. The school's athletic director reportedly said they want Bronny's school experience to be as normal as possible.

It's fun to watch now ... but the real treat will be when Bronny teams up with Shaq's son, Shaqir, next season.

For now, Bronny's Crossroads team looks solid -- they won 61-48.

Michael Richards admits he hasn't always been great at dealing with hecklers -- duh -- but he's now dishing out advice to other stars in the hopes they can learn from his mistakes.

Remember, back in 2006 the "Seinfeld" star lost his mind on a heckler at the Laugh Factory -- dropping a bunch of n-bombs in a tirade that was captured on video.

He's apologized for the incident several times since then and even met with Jesse Jackson in the hopes of repairing his relationship with the black community.

So, with NBA players getting heckled like crazy by fans these days -- specifically Patrick Beverley and Kevin Durant -- we asked Richards if he had any words of wisdom.

"I didn't handle the heckler too good that evening," Richards told us.

But, he did advise the players to not feed into the trash-talkers -- even though it might be hard -- and try to focus on doing their jobs.

"Just remember, you're there to entertain people. Stay with the entertainment. We need it."

11:51 AM PT -- A rep for the Raptors 905 tells TMZ Sports they've cut ties with Felder ... saying "On Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, Raptors 905 guard Kay Felder was charged by police in connection with an allegation of domestic violence. Raptors 905 have waived Felder, effective immediately."

11:46 AM PT -- A G League spokesperson tells us ... “The G League is aware of the allegations against Raptors 905 guard Kahlil “Kay” Felder and has placed him on indefinite leave pending a full investigation into the matter.”

Kay Felder -- a 2016 NBA Draft pick who currently plays in the G League -- was arrested near Toronto early Monday morning for assault and we're told the alleged victim is a woman.

Felder was demoted by the Toronto Raptors to the team's G League affiliate back in October -- and he's been playing for the Raptors 905 squad ever since.

Now, we've learned the 23-year-old point guard was taken into custody Monday morning after a person claimed he got violent and made threats during a night out.

Cops wouldn't confirm the identity of the accuser but multiple sources connected to the incident tell us the alleged victim is a woman who has known Felder for years.

We're told the two got into an argument after dinner and Felder allegedly got violent and choked her, leaving nasty marks on her neck. Our sources say the alleged victim was able to call a family member who then called police.

We're told paramedics responded to the scene and treated the alleged victim.

Law enforcement confirms Felder was booked for assault and utter threats. He's been released from custody and is due back in court later this month.

How's the biggest sports dad on the planet coexisting with the biggest athlete in the universe??

Quietly ... 'cause LaVar Ball tells TMZ Sports he and LeBron James stay outta each other's way in Los Angeles -- and things have gone along just fine.

"I really don't have a relationship with LeBron," the big Baller says.

"I like it. He ain't done nothing bad to me, I ain't done nothing bad to him. So, as long as we good, we'll be all right."

Of course, that's music to Luke Walton's ears ... 'cause when Bron bolted from the Cavs to play with Lonzo and the Lakers -- how LaVar would fit in the picture was on everyone's mind.

Seems LaVar is playing nice for now ... although he did issue an ultimatum to L.A.'s coach when we got him at LAX -- saying if Luke doesn't play Zo more than 35 minutes a night, his job is in jeopardy.

"If he keep playing Lonzo a lot -- over 35 minutes -- he'll stick around," Ball says. "Less, he won't."

Sorry, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, the new Clippers are better than you're 'Lob City' boys, that's according to ex-NBA Slam Dunk champion Dee Brown, who says the new team is a real force.

The Clips are currently #1 in the West (crazy right?) and when we got Brown -- the GM of the Clippers G-League team -- he told our guy it's no fluke because this team is built differently.

"Before we had the Lob City, now we got the grind team."

Of course, we had to ask which version of the Clippers Brown thinks are superior, and he's rolling with Tobias Harris, Patrick Beverly and Danilo Gallinari over the names mentioned above.

"It's better for us, it's the way our team's built."

It's the season of giving ... so Kevin Durant gave his good buddy, Drake, his game-worn jersey ...

AND, A BIG OLE TITTY TWISTER!!

K.D. torched the 6 God's Toronto Raptors on Thursday with 51 points in an overtime thriller ... but the Dinos ended up on top, 131-128.

But, that didn't keep Durant from being super chummy with Drizzy after the game ... choppin' it up with the rap superstar and giving him the jersey off his back.

Of course, that wasn't the only gift K.D. gave Aubrey ... the dude got a nice nipple cripple earlier in the game ... and Drake loved it.

'Tits the season!!

LeBron James has ANOTHER movie in the works -- but this one is based on his own life!

The NBA superstar -- along with his producing partner Maverick Carter and SpringHill Entertainment -- are moving forward with a flick based on the book, "Shooting Stars" ... about Bron's youth basketball team.

LeBron co-authored the book with famed writer Buzz Bissinger -- the guy who wrote "Friday Night Lights."

The story is a real-life tale about how LeBron and his childhood friends beat the odds to win a championship and form lifelong bonds.

The movie will be directed by Chris Robinson (according to Variety) -- the super famous music video director who did "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" with Jay-Z and Beyonce.

He also directed the FOX series, "Star."

Mark Cuban is so hands-on as the owner of the Dallas Mavericks -- he even attends ALL of his teams' G-League games ... so says Kostas Antetokounmpo.

Kostas -- a 2nd round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft -- is the younger brother of "Greek Freak" Giannis Antetokounmpo ... and currently plays for the Mavs' developmental team, the Texas Legends.

The 21-year-old is averaging nearly 10 points and 6 rebounds per game and has a ton of potential -- but when we saw him at LAX, he told us how great it's been playing for Cuban.

"He be at every game, you know?! ... I feel like he's probably the greatest NBA owner because he's always a part of the team, he comes to the trips, he's there at the games."

Of course, Kostas' big bro is killing it right now -- so we asked if he'd ever like to play on the same team as Giannis.

"If that would happen, that would be awesome!"

What do you get a 99-year-old nun as a thank-you present for being the best good luck charm ever??

Diamonds, baby!!!

Loyola-Chicago rewarded Sister Jean -- the superstar team chaplain who was with the Ramblers for every step of their epic NCAA Tournament run last season -- with a Final Four ring Tuesday.

America's favorite nun was courtside for the Loyola's game against Nevada -- when she was handed a dope diamond ring as a present for being the squad's biggest supporter last year.

Sister Jean reportedly had no clue the gift was on its way ... and she smiled huge as team staffers put the band on her hand.

Bad news for Loyola ... they lost the game, 79-65.

Dahntay Jones tells TMZ Sports LaMelo Ball would be a great fit at Duke ... ONLY IF LaVar Ball stays quiet.

Of course ... Melo's recruitment is wide open these days -- especially after LaVar said there's no way in hell LaMelo follows in his brothers' footsteps to UCLA.

Jones -- an ex-Duke star -- says he could see a place for Melo with Coach K ... but says the Big Baller has to keep out of the limelight ... something he's been able to do recently.

"If [LaVar] can coexist like this, I think Duke would be a place for him. If LaVar operates like this right now, I think Coach K could find a way."

LaVar did make waves earlier this week for saying Melo is better right now than LeBron James was as a teenager -- but Jones says that statement wasn't THAT outlandish.

"That's what happens when you have sons. I think my son is better than LeBron in grade school right now ... That's just natural love for his son."

Bottom line ... Dahntay says it's the meddling with coaches, rosters, game plans and teams that LaVar needs to stay away from if he wants to see Melo at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Steph Curry was REALLY lucky to walk away from his Black Friday car crash without a serious injury -- because TMZ Sports obtained video of the accident ... and it's scary stuff.

As we previously reported, the Golden State Warriors star was driving his black Porsche on Highway 24 in Oakland on Nov. 23 when another car lost control, skidded out and slammed into Steph.

You can see in our video, the other driver was going pretty fast when the vehicle slipped across 4 lanes of traffic and clipped the front of Steph's car ... it appears both cars hit the center divider.

Officials say roughly 10 minutes after the crash, another car lost control and slammed into Steph's Porsche from behind.

Miraculously, no one suffered any major injuries. Steph was photographed walking around the crash after the incident. Officials say everyone was wearing their seat belts.

He later tweeted, "Don’t need any reminders but All the Time God is Great and God is Great all the time! Appreciate all the texts."

There's a ZERO percent chance LaMelo Ball will follow in his bro's footsteps and play at UCLA next season ... so says LaVar Ball who tells us he's still furious over the way the school treated LiAngelo.

17-year-old LaMelo is playing pretty well at the Spire Institute in Ohio -- and recently dropped 30 points during a game in Atlanta.

LaVar tells us his son is "better than LeBron" was as a teenager -- calling him "unbeatable" and "the coldest person on two feet."

So, where's he gonna play his college ball next year? Definitely not in Westwood.

"Heck no, he won't be at UCLA," LaVar says ... "UCLA? Why? After what they did to my other son? Are you crazy?"

Remember, LiAngelo withdrew from UCLA after the shoplifting incident in China. UCLA had suspended him indefinitely but that didn't sit well with LaVar.

"Suspend him and don't tell him when he supposed to be able to play and all that? No, they ain't behind him like that. One mistake and now you put him to the side and act like he's supposed to come the next year?"

LaVar says he's also upset that UCLA forced LiAngelo to wear #15 when he wore #3 all his life -- "so it started off wrong."

As for LaMelo, Ball says he'll start taking recruiting trips to colleges "when he feels like it."