Basketball

A little girl who needed Maurice Cheeks' help to sing the national anthem at a Portland Trail Blazers game in 2003 had a second shot at the song on Wednesday ... and the now-Knicks assistant was in the building for the redemption!!

Natalie Zito was 13 years old when she was picked to sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" ahead of the Blazers' Game 3 playoff matchup in 2003 ... but nerves got the best of her, and Cheeks stepped in to help her finish the rendition.

The heartwarming moment became one of the most memorable in the NBA's anthem history ... and more than two decades later, Zito took another crack at it.

Heartbreaking loss for the NBA ... former center Oliver Miller -- famously known as "The Big O" -- has passed away at the age of 54.

Former NBA player Eddie Johnson broke the news on Wednesday ... expressing his sadness as he announced Miller's passing.

"We have lost another @NBA Fraternity member!" Johnson said. "Going to miss you Big O. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾. RIP."

The WNBA could be adding a bit of mom's spaghetti flavor to it in the near future ... TMZ Sports has learned Eminem is currently in talks to join a bid for an expansion team.

A spokesperson for the legendary rapper tells us ... Marshall has had some preliminary discussions about securing a spot in an ownership group that's trying to bring the W back to Detroit.

So far, we're told he hasn't officially signed on just yet ... although, he does apparently have some big interest.

Charges have been filed against seven individuals -- including minors -- involved in an ugly brawl that forced a Pennsylvania high school basketball playoff game to end early, police confirmed to TMZ Sports.

The charges were announced on Wednesday ... just days after fans and players got into a violent fight with 3:12 left in the Uniontown vs. Meadville matchup in the 2025 PIAA 5A Basketball tournament.

"Meadville City Police Officers in attendance called for assistance and upon the arrival of additional units, the situation was quickly brought under control with no serious injuries reported," an MCPD spokesperson said.

Jordan Poole must've been having Draymond Green flashbacks Tuesday night ... 'cause the Wizards guard QUICKLY retreated after pushing a much bigger Pistons player during an on-court scuffle!

The incident went down at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit ... when the teams began pushing and shoving about midway through the first quarter. Poole decided he was going to get involved in the scrap ... walking up to Jalen Duren and pushing him in the chest.

Duren, who is 6'10" tall, quickly shot Poole a stare as he began walking towards 6'4" Poole, who started to retreat, clearly wanting no smoke.

Cavs rookie Jaylon Tyson learned the hard way to NEVER forget the doughnuts -- 'cause the young hooper got a car full of popcorn after Cleveland's win over the Brooklyn Nets ... and he should've seen it coming after some solid foreshadowing from Donovan Mitchell.

Spida -- who sat out of Tuesday's contest as he deals with a groin injury -- documented the postgame hijinks on his Instagram ... showing the 22-year-old Cal product walking up to his whip as his teammates playfully scolded him for not providing pastries for them to enjoy.

Once Tyson opened his door, he knew just how big of a mistake he made ... discovering a bunch of popped kernels throughout his car's interior.

Former NBA player and billionaire businessman Junior Bridgeman has passed away at 71 years old after suffering a medical emergency at a public event on Tuesday.

The Louisville great was participating in an interview at a benefit luncheon for the Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America at the Galt House Hotel when it occurred, according to WLKY.

During the Q&A, Bridgeman told reporter Kent Taylor he thought he was having a heart attack.

12:08 PM PT -- LiAngelo Ball is clapping back at his ex ... telling her to "Quit tht soft sympathy s***."

"I watched the kids more than her n ima grown man wit my own shi, I don't have to call her to conversate wit my babies who can only say dada," he said ... adding his youngins "will be at the mansion soon."

Gelo also briefly touched on how things went south between them ... claiming she talked so much about older guys who love her, "so I freed her."

Nikki didn't take it sitting down ... replying, "Raise them kids and be a father. Just cuz you hate me don’t mean u gotta be absent in their life. Weirdo."

Nikki Mudarris' feud with her ex, LiAngelo Ball, is heating back up -- this time, the reality star is accusing the rapper and athlete of being radio silent toward their kids for more than a month.

Flau'jae Johnson ain't just getting LSU wins with her skills on the court ... Mikaylah Williams tells TMZ Sports her music's helping fuel the Tigers' postseason run too!

Kim Mulkey's sophomore guard sat down with us on Monday while working a ceremonial shift at a Raising Cane's in Baton Rouge ... and she made it clear, Flau'jae's tunes are a big part of LSU's success this season.

She told us the Tigers bump Johnson's music in the locker room regularly -- and get this, she says it's played so often, they know all the lyrics!!

Ex-NBA lottery pick Noah Vonleh is on a "malicious harassment, defamation and extortion campaign" against his former sports agency ... so says the organization's legal team, which tells TMZ Sports the athlete is entirely in the wrong.

The 29-year-old Indiana Hoosiers product has been on an incessant rant against the Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks and the Pensack Sports agency on social media in recent months ... claiming the team and his reps stiffed him out of money he was owed and treated him like crap.

Vonleh even posted video to his social media page ... attempting to display mistreatment at the hands of the Sharks after his contract was terminated in February 2024.

Master P is jumpin' into his new gig as head honcho for the University of New Orleans' basketball program ... and the rap legend may have a secret weapon when it comes to landing top talent!

Ellen DeGeneres! Yes, you read that right.

TMZ Sports caught up with P in Los Angeles this week and we asked him whether he was concerned he wouldn't be able to lure hoopers to NOLA.

It ain't Sheryl Swoopes or Maya Moore ... no, the WNBA's G.O.A.T. is Diana Taurasi -- at least, that's according to former UConn guard Jen Rizzotti.

The Huskies hooper -- who's currently the president of the Connecticut Sun -- gave Taurasi the crown this week ... just days after the Phoenix Mercury star announced her WNBA retirement.

"She's the ultimate winner," Rizzotti told TMZ Sports, "and she's proven that she can win championships no matter what jersey she has on."

A Lakers fan walked out of L.A.'s big win Thursday night $100,000 richer after nailing a half-court shot during a break in the action ... and he tells TMZ Sports he plans to use the earnings to help recover some cash from his wedding!!

We caught up with lifelong Purple and Gold supporter Mike Ball after his whirlwind 24 hours ... and he told us all about the highlight from his POV.

Bell admitted he blacked out after the ball went through the net ... but luckily, there was plenty of footage to capture the moment.

While he didn't want to disrupt the players huddled up while it went down, he said he was able to celebrate with some of the big-name celebrities courtside for the contest against the Knicks.

7:07 AM PT -- Stephen A. Smith just revealed the pregame squabble with LeBron James stemmed from previous comments the ESPN hoops analyst had made about Bronny James.

Stephen A. said the Lakers superstar was furious over "what he thought he had heard" him say about his eldest son on his "First Take" show ... and he explained The King's language was so vulgar, he couldn't repeat it on national airwaves.

Stephen A. made it clear he wished LeBron had talked to him about the issue in a more private setting ... though he added he understands where 'Bron was coming from as a father.

Things are gonna be pretty awkward at the ESPN office holiday party next year ... 'cause Charles Barkley went off on the network and future coworker Kendrick Perkins in a passionate rant on Thursday's "Inside the NBA" -- calling the ex-NBAer a "fool" and an "idiot."

The Chuckster unloaded on Perk and the network as a whole ... claiming they're putting way too much focus on the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors this season -- when they SHOULD be talking about the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Barkley set his sights on Perkins initially while talking with Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson and Kenny "The Jet" Smith ... before opening fire on the same company that will house his beloved show next year.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping to make a fan-favorite phrase their own ahead of the NBA playoffs -- the team submitted paperwork to trademark the term "Cavalanche."

According to the USPTO, the filing was made on Wednesday ... the same day the team beat the Miami Heat to became the first in the Association to punch a ticket to the playoffs this season.

The filing stated it would be used for clothing items -- most likely once the NBA postseason kicks off in a few weeks -- but no additional details were provided.