Basketball

JJ Redick couldn't help but sing LeBron James' praises after a 40-point performance ... to the point where he knew his admiration would come off as "glazing."

The Los Angeles Lakers coach spoke at length about King James' impressive outing in the Purple and Gold's 110-102 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday ... saying the 40-year-old simply isn't "normal" -- mentally or physically.

"I believe I saw the other day that he's a billionaire," Redick said. "And he's playing on the second night of a back-to-back at 40 after 22 years with every freakin' record and every accolade."

Donovan Mitchell lost his train of thought during his postgame interview on Thursday ... and it was all thanks to Darius Garland breaking out in song.

The hilarious interaction went down after the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 110-97 road win over the Brooklyn Nets ... when Spida was trying to weigh in on Evan Mobley's impressive outing -- but Garland had other plans.

During Mitchell's response, Garland was heard in the background jamming to Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR's "Gimme A Hug" .... and it's clear it wasn't the first time he belted out the tune.

Ayesha Curry just made it clear that her relationship with Steph is always the top priority -- even when it comes to their kids -- as a healthy partnership sets the tone for a happy home.

The businesswoman and chef shared her mindset in a recent interview with PEOPLE ... when she discussed balancing her 13-year marriage to the Golden State Warriors star and being a mother to four young children.

"I think for us, our relationship always comes first," the 35-year-old said. "Then we're parents."

Ja Morant had more than $1 million worth of items taken from his home back in December ... with the Memphis Grizzlies superstar getting hit in the same burglary sting that affected Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow and more.

Local outlets report the 25-year-old guard was "Professional Athlete 6" named in the federal complaint that was unsealed earlier this week ... which stated valuables were jacked from the crib while Morant was at the FedExForum to play against the Golden State Warriors.

Morant had nine points that night ... with the Grizzlies beating the Dubs, 144-93.

Devastating blow for the San Antonio Spurs -- the team is expected to be without superstar big man Victor Wembanyama for the rest of the season due to a blood clot in his shoulder.

The team announced the news just minutes ago ... saying 21-year-old Wemby was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

The Spurs added the condition was discovered after the French baller returned from All-Star Weekend in San Francisco ... after scoring six and 11 points in Team Chuck's two games in the four-team tournament.

Bobby Portis Jr. woke up to some bad news Thursday morning -- the NBA suspended the Milwaukee Bucks player 25 games without pay for violating the league's anti-drug policy.

In a statement put out minutes ago, the Association says the veteran forward tested positive for Tramadol -- a pain killer on the banned substance list.

Bobby's agent -- Mark Bartelstein -- provided his own statement to Shams Charania claiming Portis consumed the drug unintentionally ... as he thought he was taking Toradol.

LaMelo Ball put on a show against the Lakers on Wednesday night ... just hours after it was revealed to the public that his father, LaVar Ball, had recently had his foot amputated.

The Charlotte Hornets star -- and the youngest Ball brother -- cruised into Crypto.com Arena and dropped 27 points en route to a 100-97 victory over L.A.

The 23-year-old did not appear to address his father's newly revealed health status with media members either before or after the game.

Tracy Morgan flattered Jeanie Buss while possibly exposing his lack of NBA knowledge at the same time ... with Jay Mohr saying the comedy legend asked his wife if she was a Laker Girl!!

The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member revealed the hilarious interaction in a preview of an upcoming "Mohr Stories" episode ... saying it went down at the sketch show's 50th anniversary event last week.

Mohr explained one of his goals for the weekend was to get his wife and longtime friend to get a pic together ... and he made it happen -- but not before the memorable encounter.

Damontas Sabonis has an idea to clam up all the haters of the NBA's All-Star Game ... just go back to East vs. West!!

The Sacramento Kings center told TMZ Sports out at LAX on Wednesday that if the backlash to Sunday night's iteration of the Association's midseason showcase causes Adam Silver to hit the drawing board again ... the commissioner should consider returning the game to its old conference vs. conference ways.

Sabonis, though, was one of the few who didn't seem to mind the new mini-tournament format ... explaining to us he thinks "it's fine how it is."

LaVar Ball -- the father of basketball stars Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball -- had his foot amputated after suffering a serious medical issue, TMZ Sports has learned.

We're told the Ball family patriarch underwent a recent procedure to have his right foot removed ... but despite it all, he is in great spirits and doing well.

LaVar made a name for himself with his grandiose plans for his sons -- he created the Big Baller Brand, which developed signature shoes for all three hoopers.

Mac McClung says he'd be perfectly content with never suiting up in the NBA dunk contest ever again ... but won't entirely slam the door on the possibility of another title defense -- telling TMZ Sports he's keeping his options open.

We caught up with the 26-year-old as he was working an honorary shift at Raising Cane's in Orlando on Wednesday ... and asked all about his future in the annual competition.

While he is at peace with his potential retirement from the event, he said it's been hard to ignore the outcry from fans hoping to see him run it back.

Vince Carter is the undisputed king of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest ... but there's one guy who believes he actually deserves the crown without ever winning the competition -- Aaron Gordon.

The Denver Nuggets forward was asked for his take on the contest's history during his appearance on "Run It Back" on FanDuel TV ... which comes on the heels of the league paying tribute to the 25th anniversary of Vinsanity's historic outing.

Gordon's incredible 2016 duel with Zach LaVine was also mentioned frequently ... and when Michelle Beadle asked where their showdown ranked among the best, he stated he felt it surpassed the 2000 competition.

Seven Chilean nationals believed to be behind the Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Joe Burrow burglaries have been charged ... and they're accused of taking more than $2 million in valuables from several big-name athletes' homes.

The feds unsealed a criminal complaint this week ... which names alleged South American theft group members Pablo Cartes, Ignacio Cartes, Bastian Freraut, Jordan Sanchez, Bastian Morales, Alexander Chavez and Sergio Cabello as defendants.

The members are charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property ... and face a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars.

Anthony Edwards doesn't care who you are -- he'll make damn sure you put respect on his name ... just ask Barack Obama!!

The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar exuded all the confidence in the world when speaking with the former POTUS at the Team USA 50th Anniversary event in Las Vegas last summer ... when No. 44 chopped it up with several members of the 2024 Olympic squad.

Barry O started chatting with Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid about Ant's game ... saying, "He can hoop a little bit, huh??"

Kyle Kuzma and Winnie Harlow have taken their relationship to the next level -- they got engaged!!!

The Milwaukee Bucks forward proposed to the model in a romantic way ... revealing he popped the question with a poem while they were flying to Turks and Caicos for an All-Star Break getaway on February 13.

Harlow, 30, told VOGUE the last line of Kuz's poem read, "Will you be my wife?" ... and she, of course, accepted!!

Marcus Jordan is hoping to start on his dad's good side on his 62nd birthday ... wishing his pops a Happy Birthday weeks after dropping his name during the traffic stop that led to his DUI arrest.

The 34-year-old shared the shoutout on his Instagram Monday afternoon ... writing a simple "Happy Bday Dad" alongside some photos of His Airness' playing days.

Just three weeks ago, Marcus had a run-in with cops down in Florida after getting his car stuck on some train tracks. As they patted him down ... Marcus broke out the famous dad card -- telling cops he was the son of the six-time NBA champion.