Basketball

Paul George is out ... the Clippers star has entered the league's health & safety protocols and will miss tonight's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

... a gigantic blow for the Clips.

Adrian Wojnarowski reports sources told him the L.A. forward will not play in his team's win-or-go game against the Pelicans.

It's unclear if PG tested positive for COVID or is just experiencing symptoms, but either way the 7x All-Star won't be seeing the court in the biggest game of the season.

George was already sidelined for a number of games for the Clippers this season ... as he was dealing with a torn ligament in his elbow.

However, since returning to the Clips lineup, the team has enjoyed some success with one of the game's premier two-way players back in the mix.

George averaged over 24.3 points per game, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds despite only playing in 31 games for the Clippers this season.

The Clippers will have an uphill battle if they want to get past a tough New Orleans team ... and losing one of their best players certainly won't make it any easier.

Story developing ...

Mike Krzyzewski may not be coaching the Duke hoops team anymore ... but the team is making sure he keeps at it -- with this new puppy!

The adorable moment happened during the Blue Devils' annual banquet and award ceremony at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Thursday to celebrate their Final Four run.

Jon Scheyer -- Coach K's replacement as head coach -- was at the podium with the basketball team, Krzyzewski and his wife, Mickie, when JS introduced their "new family member."

"We can't repay you for what you done for all of us but we're gonna try," Scheyer said.

"Since you have a lot more time now coach, we felt you needed something to train."

That's when a player handed Coach K an 8-week-old Silver Lab -- and he LOVED it!

Coach K even kissed his new pup and the sweet dog gave him one right back -- a true Kodak moment.

FYI ... Coach K planned on getting a puppy after the season following the death of his dog Blue. But, his team beat him to it.

Besides the furry gift, Krzyzewski thanked the team for an "unbelievable season" despite the loss to their rivals, the UNC Tarheels in the Final Four.

"You guys were winners," Coach K said at the event. "For me, you made my final season one of the happiest that I've ever had."

GREAT NEWS for Dick Vitale ... the legendary college hoops announcer is officially cancer-free (again) after completing 6 months of chemotherapy treatment.

82-year-old Vitale shared the announcement on Twitter ... posting a video of him ringing a bell at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida where he received his treatment.

"It was RING THE BELL TIME!" Vitale wrote. "Yes it was a tough 7 months but it was super hearing Dr Brown @SMHCS say that I have zero cancer currently."

"I was inspired daily by the famous words of my late buddy Jimmy V 'Don't Give up DON'T EVER GIVE UP!'"

Last fall, Vitale revealed he'd been diagnosed with cancer for a second time, but said he still planned to call games during his treatment for lymphoma.

"They're going to try to plan the chemo so I can be free to do some games," Vitale said. "Which I've got to do -- that's my best medicine of all."

Dickie V made his return to the broadcast booth -- with his partner Dave O'Brien -- for the Gonzaga and UCLA game ... and was visibly emotional as he detailed his difficult journey back.

Unfortunately for the Hall of Fame broadcaster, Vitale's return was short-lived ... as he was instructed to undergo "4 weeks of total rest" following his vocal cord surgery.

But, after successful surgery and learning that his cat scans came back clean, Vitale can finally rejoice ... 'cause he no longer has cancer.

That was quick ...

The NBA took less than 24 hours to punish Miles Bridges for throwing his mouthpiece at a fan ... announcing Thursday it's fined the Charlotte Hornets star $50,000 for his outburst Wednesday night.

As we reported, Bridges chucked the mouthguard into the stands after he was ejected in the fourth quarter of the Hornets' blowout loss to the Hawks in Atlanta.

Bridges threw the mouthpiece in a fit of rage at a heckler following his removal from the game ... but he did apologize for it afterward.

Bridges added that he wanted to get in contact with the fan he hit ... and "do something nice for her."

"I was aiming for the guy that was screaming at me and it hit a little girl," Bridges said. "So that's definitely unacceptable on my part and I take full responsibility."

Quavo's hopes to ball up with Jack Harlow again -- after their NBA All-Star Weekend victory -- are officially dashed.

20th Century Studios says it's picked a costar for Jack in its reboot of "White Men Can't Jump" ... and it won't be Quavo filling the role of hustler Sidney Deane, which Wesley Snipes played in the OG. Hip Hop film lure, it's not the Migos rapper.

Hip hop fans were hoping for a Huncho and Harlow pairing -- especially after TMZ Sports got the Migos rapper last month, sounding focused on landing the gig.

Even though Quavo has real life hoop skills, the studio went another direction -- as they say in La La Land -- and cast veteran actor Sinqua Walls ... who also stars in the upcoming horror film, "Nanny."

Even minus Quavo, 'White Men' appears to be in great hands. Director Calmatic has racked up plenty of high-profile video credits with the likes of Pharrell, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Nas X, among others. Plus, "Black-ish" creator Kenya Barris is co-writing the flick.

Don't cry too much for Quavo's acting career -- he's already set to star opposite Robert De Niro in "Wash Me in the River" later this year.

Lamar Odom says if the Lakers want to win a title next season, they need to hit up an old friend and hire the Zen Master himself -- Phil Jackson!!

Remember, last time TMZ Sports spoke with Odom about his beloved Purple & Gold, he thought they could still turn things around and win it all ... but unfortunately for his prediction, L.A. was eliminated from the playoffs last week.

Odom tells us the biggest reason for the Lakers' struggles this season is because the team didn't spend enough time playing together due to injuries to several key players.

"They needed more time," Odom said. "Anthony Davis missed damn near half the year. They just needed time together to bond, but they'll be back next year."

"It'll be LeBron's 20th year next year, so I look forward to see how that's going to go."

Odom -- who won back-to-back rings with the Lakers during his career -- believes the team should keep the guys currently on the roster ... but a new coach can help bring success back to the franchise.

"I think they need to keep the same core intact," Odom said. "Just taking new demands from somebody else. New coach. New direction from someone else.

"It's hard to coach LeBron this far along in his career because he's so advanced mentally."

Despite the daunting challenge of coaching LBJ, Odom tells us the one person who can handle it is Jackson ... who led the Lakers to 5 NBA titles in his career.

"Phil Jackson, I know can coach LeBron with the triangle offense," Odom said. "I think that would keep [LeBron] around a little longer. Preserve him a little longer."

"I would love for Phil Jackson to be the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers."

LO told us if the Lakers hired Phil [Jackson] as their next coach, they will win the NBA championship next season.

"If he was to come back and coach the Lakers, I think the Lakers would be the pick -- the fan-favorite."

There's more -- Lamar tells us he's officially making his way to the Metaverse via his very own "Baller Heads Club" NFT collection.

We're told members of the community will have the opportunity to win awesome rewards -- meet and greets with LO and other NBA players, signed gear ... and even three $5,000 scholarships will be given away as well.

Lamar says he saw it as an interesting way to give back -- with a percentage of earnings going to charity each month as well.

NBA baller Hassan Whiteside is letting go of his beachfront mansion -- complete with a home theater and rooftop deck -- and it comes with a $23 million price tag.

This pad is amazing -- it sits off the Biscayne Bay in sunny Miami, Florida ... and features 6 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, a gorgeous backyard pool, sleek kitchen with a gigantic fish tank and floor-to-ceiling windows.

It also comes with a movie theatre, full gym for workouts, a cabana bath, private terrace and a private dock ... as well as a rooftop deck, which is perfect for watching the sunset.

The crib is listed with Joe Azar from Compass for $23 milli -- $7.3 million more than Whiteside paid back in 2016.

The 2-time NBA block leader lived in the beach-style home while he played for the Miami Heat ... before he was traded to the Blazers in 2019.

After short stints with Portland and the Sacramento Kings, Whiteside signed a one-year deal with the Jazz in 2021. He is currently a free agent.

Charlotte Hornets star Miles Bridges was so furious after being ejected from a game Wednesday night -- he angrily chucked his mouthpiece into the stands, accidentally hitting a young girl near her face.

The wild moment happened in the fourth quarter of the Hornets' blowout loss to the Hawks in Atlanta -- just seconds after Bridges was tossed from the contest for arguing about a goaltending call.

The 24-year-old was pissed at the ref for blowing the whistle on him ... and he was so livid, his teammates and coaches had to usher him off the floor before things escalated.

But, as Bridges was on his way back to the locker room, an Atlanta fan appeared to taunt him -- which set the Hornets forward off.

Check out the video from the game's broadcast -- Bridges attempted to launch his mouthguard at the heckler ... but it missed, and hit a girl in the neck area.

The girl did not appear to be injured -- but she was clearly confused and perturbed.

After the game, Bridges calmed down and apologized for it all ... and said during his meeting with reporters that he was hoping to get in contact with the girl and "do something nice for her."

"I was aiming for the guy that was screaming at me and it hit a little girl," Bridges said. "So that's definitely unacceptable on my part and I take full responsibility."

"That's out of character for me," he added. "You've been around me -- I don't act like that or ever flash out like that. So, that was definitely wrong, a lot of emotions and hopefully, I can get in contact with the young girl and sincerely apologize to her and do something nice for her, but that's definitely on me."

The NBA is expected to hand down a punishment sooner than later -- and Bridges made it clear, he's going to accept whatever comes his way from league officials.

"I'm ready for any consequence that the NBA gives me," he said.

NBA legend Dennis Rodman was feeling extra generous outside a strip club in Florida this week ... pulling out a brick of 500 $1 bills and handing it to a woman with a disability -- and TMZ Sports has the touching video.

The 5-time champ was enjoying a night out at Molly Brown's in Daytona Beach, when he started chatting it up and joking with some fans for about 20 minutes out in the street.

But he wasn't just there to talk -- he decided to help out the woman in need by pulling out the cash and handing it over.

We're told the woman was overjoyed with the gesture ... thanking him and shaking his hand.

Dennis didn't stop there -- we're told he gave another $500 to a woman who witnessed the moment unfold.

In true Rodman fashion, the guy ended up throwing a party in the street -- dancing around and singing in front of his customized tour bus.

We're told Rodman couldn't have been nicer to all the fans who showed up ... and he even gave out custom t-shirts to everyone.

Lakers guard Wayne Ellington just got slapped with a $20,000 fine by the NBA ... after he threatened to put his "hands on" Facundo Campazzo following an incident between the two during a game over the weekend.

NBA exec Byron Spruell announced the fine on Wednesday afternoon ... reprimanding Ellington for his threatening tweet.

If you missed it, during the Lakers vs. Nuggets game on Sunday, Campazzo intentionally shoved Ellington in the back -- sending him crashing to the floor.

At the time, Campazzo was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game -- but Ellington clearly didn't think that penalty was enough ... 'cause he tweeted afterward he wanted some street justice.

"When I see you I’m putting my hands on you @facucampazzo," Ellington said.

In addition to fining Ellington for the tweet ... the NBA also said it's suspending Campazzo for one game without pay for the shove.

Absolutely wild moment during the Clippers vs. Timberwolves game on Tuesday night -- a fan made her way down to the court and glued herself to the floor ... and everyone, including the players, was stunned by the sight.

The incident went down in the second quarter of the NBA game at the Target Center in Minnesota ... when a woman attempted to stick herself to the hardwood using some Elmer's.

The woman sprayed the adhesive just underneath one of the baskets as the teams were down on the other end of the court, and then she pressed her hand firmly into it.

When security arrived to get her off the floor -- she refused to get up, insisting her wrist was glued down.

Eventually, though, the woman complied with guards and was escorted off the floor.

In a statement released by animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere, officials from the org. said the woman made the scene in an effort to protest Wolves owner Glen Taylor.

The officials accused Taylor and his employees of wrongly killing chickens on his factory egg farm in Iowa. They added that the protester's sweater during Tuesday's game read, "GLEN TAYLOR ROASTS ANIMALS ALIVE."

Wolves guard Patrick Beverley said after the game he did attempt to help the woman out during the protest ... and was praying that she was OK.

No word if the woman was arrested for the stunt ... but the Wolves said in a statement that they were "in touch with Target Center Security to address the incident."

Nets forward Kevin Durant is condemning the tragic subway shooting in Brooklyn on Tuesday ... calling it "devastating" and saying he "hates senseless violence."

Durant addressed the media after the Nets walkthrough ahead of their play-in game tonight against the Cavaliers at the Barclays Center.

"It's devastating," Durant said, adding ... "I don't know the details. To hear the sirens out front of the practice facility and see so much commotion going on outside, you hope and pray for the best for everybody involved."

Durant said he received a text saying there might be heavy traffic on his way to the arena but the reason for it was never specified. Durant told reporters he initially heard about the tragedy from his teammates, but admits he didn't know the severity of the situation.

"I hate violence," Durant said, "I hate senseless violence."

"Hopefully we can figure out the details and get everybody to safety and get everybody the help that they need, but it's a tough situation right now."

Durant, of course, is referencing the mass shooting that occurred at a Brooklyn subway station this morning in NYC where at least 10 people were shot and several others were left injured during the chaos, according to the Associated Press.

The incident happened at the 36th Street station in the borough's Sunset Park neighborhood, which is not too far from where the Nets practice at the HSS Training Center.

Head coach Steve Nash also responded to the shooting, calling it "a very tragic morning," saying the Nets org. is "devastated for the community and those directly involved."

As of now, the Nets are still expected to host the Cavs tonight as both teams fight for playoff seeding.

Tom Brady is still the G.O.A.T. on the football field and in his household -- 'cause he says he just whooped his oldest son in a game of 1-on-1 basketball.

TB12 shared some rare footage of him hoopin' on his Instagram page on Tuesday ... showing a little bit of his recent contest with 14-year-old Jack.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar looked smooth as butter in the clip, hitting a jumper over the kid -- much to the young Brady's dismay.

Brady also showed some pics of him blowing by Jack in the lane all while appearing to be on his way to hitting a scoop layup.

No word on what the final score of the game was -- but Tom wrote on his social media page, "Dad still wins for now."

Tom did show some love to Jack, though -- saying the kid is improving on the court, writing, "I don't love my chances next year."

The NFL star might not be blowin' smoke -- Jack appears to be growing like a weed ... check out the huge spurt he's appeared to hit since 2021.

Tom has said in the past that Jack loves sports -- and could follow in his athletic footsteps one day.

Kentucky's Rhyne Howard went no. 1 overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft ... and after she was selected, she paid tribute to the late Terrence Clarke -- who she calls her "little brother."

The shooting guard walked the New York stage Monday night wearing a white pantsuit set with sparkles ... but what stood out most was her honorary pin for Clarke, a former Wildcats guard who died almost a year ago.

"That was like my little brother," Howard said about her tribute.

Clarke and Howard met on campus in 2020 ... when TC was a freshman and Howard was in her 2nd year. They both played for the Wildcats hoops teams.

"As soon as he stepped on campus, we instantly clicked and ever since then, we were inseparable."

"Just us coming in and me being able to help him and just get him through his college years."

Sadly, Clarke was tragically killed in a Los Angeles car crash on April 22, 2021 -- a few months before he was set to be drafted by an NBA team.

Rhyne is definitely making TC proud ... she averaged 20.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game during her four seasons in Lexington, and became the highest player drafted in Kentucky women's basketball history.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Monday she and the league are still fighting like hell to bring Brittney Griner back from Russia ... telling reporters the situation is "unimaginable."

Engelbert wasted no time addressing Griner's Russian detainment in her opening remarks prior to the WNBA Draft -- but said little has changed with the basketball superstar's status.

The 31-year-old remains in custody ... and Engelbert said she knows the hooper is still safe.

She added that she and players across the league are still following officials' advice to stay relatively mum on the topic.

"I know we're all frustrated, but we do need to be patient," Engelbert said. "The players have been amazing at following the advice they're getting and we're getting in order not to jeopardize her safety in any way."

Griner has been detained in Russia since February ... after she was accused of having hash oil in her luggage while going through airport security.

Griner's detainment was extended until at least mid-May at a court hearing last month.

"This is an unimaginable situation for BG to be in," Engelbert said. "She continues to have our full support. Certainly, we're trying everything we can, every angle, working with her legal representation, her agent, elected leaders, the administration. Just everybody in our ecosystem to try and find ways to get her home safely and as quickly as we can."

Frank Vogel is out of a job ... the Los Angeles Lakers have fired the longtime NBA head coach after a terrible 2022 season -- just two years after he led his squad to an NBA title.

Vogel, who coached the Lakers to a championship in 2020 -- his first season with the team -- was relieved of his coaching duties following a disappointing season this year.

The Lakers finished with a 33-49 record -- 8th worst in the NBA -- and Vogel received his fair share of criticism and blame for the Lakers' struggles.

Vogel wraps up his tenure in L.A. with a 127-98 record in the regular season ... and a postseason record of 18-9.

Lakers VP Rob Pelinka released a statement announcing the firing.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Frank both on and off the court. Frank is a great coach and a good man. We will forever be grateful to him for his work in guiding us to the 2019-20 NBA championship. This is an incredibly difficult decision to make, but one we feel is necessary at this point. All of us here wish Frank and his wonderful family all the best for the future.”

Things weren't always bad for Vogel  ... during the 2020 season, the Lakers posted a 52-19 record -- the best record in the Western conference -- and third best in the league.

Vogel's been an NBA coach since 2001 -- getting his start as an assistant with the Boston Celtics, before serving as the head coach for the Indiana Pacers for 10 seasons.

The departure of Vogel leaves the Lakers, who missed the play-in tournament this season, with a void to fill at head coach.