Basketball

Dwyane Wade is acknowledging his new statue in Miami doesn't look a whole lot like him ... but if ya thought he'd be pissed about it -- think again!!

The Heat legend on Monday addressed all the backlash his Kesaya Center monument got following its big reveal on Sunday ... and while he admitted it does have a bit of a Laurence Fishburne look to it -- he's super happy about it nonetheless.

Wade explained he doesn't think it has to be a 100 percent accurate rendering of him in order to be perfect ... telling media members just before Miami's tilt vs. Detroit that it was always supposed to be merely an "artistic" depiction of his iconic "This is my house!" celebration.

The 2024 college basketball season is about to begin ... and Dan Hurley tells TMZ Sports his UConn program is running at a "super high level" of confidence as they prepare for a three-peat!!

The 51-year-old head coach was out greeting fans in New York City ... a couple weeks before the Huskies' first regular season game on November 6 in Storrs, Connecticut.

All eyes are on the back-to-back NCAA champions leading into the 2024-25 season ... and Hurley -- who decided to stay with UConn instead of joining the Los Angeles Lakers -- mentioned their recent success has increased the team's self-assurance, which will be crucial as they try to defend their title yet again.

Angel Reese's gripe over her WNBA salary not covering her Chicago rent certainly got folks talking ... but her situation could actually be MUCH worse -- 'cause Barbara Corcoran tells TMZ Sports paying $8,000 a month in the Windy City ain't too shabby!!

The Sky forward sparked a bit of backlash when she complained about her financial situation on Instagram Live ... claiming her WNBA check alone couldn't keep a roof over her head.

Fans quickly ripped Reese, claiming she was balling without a budget ... but Corcoran -- who also stars on "Shark Tank" -- said it might not be the case.

Luke Walton just slam-dunked his way to an epic sale, offloading his Manhattan Beach home for a jaw-dropping $10.3 million!

The sale of the former Los Angeles Lakers player and head coach’s 7-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom mansion is a major win, making it only the third property east of Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach, California to sell for over $10 million. And just from the pics, it’s easy to see why it fetched such a high price.

The 10,000-square-foot home is a showstopper, kicking off with an impressive imperial staircase that greets you as you enter the foyer, giving off all the luxury vibes.

Shaquille O'Neal didn't mince his words when calling out Joel Embiid ... straight-up labeling the Philadelphia 76ers superstar "soft" for not wanting to play in back-to-back games.

Embiid didn't suit up for the Sixers' season opener against the Bucks on Thursday ... and was ruled out the team's next two games -- this after missing the preseason for what Philly called left knee injury management.

The 2023 NBA MVP told a reporter before the season he'd likely not play in back-to-back games for the rest of his career ... and Shaq -- one of the best centers in NBA history -- was pissed off at the notion.

Ex-NBA star Shareef Abdur-Rahim is opening up on his brother Amir's tragic death ... saying his loved ones are thankful for everyone who has shared their support following the news.

"On behalf of my family, I want to express our gratitude to all who have reached out regarding Amir's passing," the former Atlanta Hawks forward and current G League president  said in a brief statement on his X account.

"Please remember our family in your prayers. As @sunsetAMIR would say, to God be the Glory."

The Denver Nuggets paid tribute to Dikembe Mutombo during their season opener on Thursday ... honoring the NBA legend with a video tribute and 55-second standing ovation following his death.

It all went down during the first quarter of the Nuggets' matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder ... with the scoreboard sharing the big man's greatest accomplishments -- the day he was drafted, career highlights, Hall of Fame induction and all the humanitarian work he did off the floor.

After the video rolled ... the fans in attendance shared their respect for Mutombo -- giving the 55-second applause, a nod to his jersey number.

University of South Florida men's basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim died on Thursday, according to the school ... after a medical procedure went horribly wrong.

Coach Abdur-Rahim was only 43 years old.

"All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim," USF official Michael Kelly said in a statement.

Traffic is always a nightmare in Los Angeles -- and it's expected to be even worse with a full slate of events throughout the city this weekend ... but TMZ Sports has learned the local public transit system is taking action to mitigate as many headaches as possible.

It's a fully stuffed few days for the City of Angels -- especially Friday, with the Dodgers, Lakers and USC all in action ... as well as concerts being held at the Intuit Dome and Forum.

L.A. County Metro tells TMZ Sports the service is bracing for the big weekend by increasing service on the rails ... mainly the A, B, D, and E lines.

It's a bad day to be a champagne bottle ... 'cause Breanna Stewart is grabbing all the bubbly in sight as the New York Liberty parades through the streets to celebrate their WNBA Finals win!!

The 6-foot-4 forward was spotted having a blast as her float made its way down Broadway ... spraying what appeared to be some Ace of Spades before taking a swig right from the container.

Sabrina Ionescu -- who wore a dope Nike custom Liberty jacket for the occasion -- turned the bash into a mini meet-and-greet ... hopping off her float to show love to the fans in attendance.

The Los Angeles Clippers might not have won their season opener last night ... but, not even a 0-1 record could dampen fans' excitement over their new $2 billion state-of-the-art stomping grounds in Inglewood!

After years of construction, the Intuit Dome made its regular season basketball debut last night as the Clips hosted Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.

The man who owns the team, and footed the massive bill for the project, Steve Ballmer, welcomed the fanbase like only he could! And needless to say, he was pretty excited.

LaMelo Ball was unfiltered after the Charlotte Hornets' season-opening win ... casually dropping an F-bomb during his postgame interview!!

It all went down after the 23-year-old guard had his way against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on Wednesday ... scoring 34 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in the 110-105 victory -- making him the first player in franchise history to record 30 points and 10 assists in the first game of the season.

Kemba Walker -- who played for Charlotte from 2011-2019 before joining the team as a coach this offseason -- dapped up Ball a few seconds right before his Q&A ... which prompted the reporter to ask about the impact the former guard has had on his game.

Kevin Durant wasn't in the giving mood after the Suns' season-opening win over the Clippers ... blocking "New Girl" actor Lamorne Morris' attempt at getting a special souvenir after the game.

K.D. and Phoenix spoiled L.A.'s housewarming party at the Intuit Dome ... handling James Harden and Co. in the 116-113 victory.

As K.D. was making his way to the locker rooms after the dub, Morris shouted at him and asked if he could get the jersey off his back.

LeBron James and his son, Bronny, are being dragged to a different kind of court ... TMZ Sports has learned they've just been sued over their alleged roles in a 2022 car crash.

Court documents we obtained showed the suit was filed by two plaintiffs in Los Angeles County on Tuesday afternoon ... just hours before the father-and-son duo took the floor together for the first time in a regular season game during the Lakers' season-opening win over Minnesota at Crypto.com Arena.

In the suit, April Almanza Lopez and Kiara Rae McGillen allege they were driving on a highway on November 13, 2022 in Littlerock, Calif. ... when the Jameses slammed into them.

LeBron James dressed to impress ahead of his historic moment with Bronny in the Lakers' season opener ... showing up to the game draped in Louis Vuitton -- including a $4,000 jacket!

The NBA superstar put his impeccable fashion taste on display as he walked through the Crypto.com Arena tunnels before facing the Minnesota Timberwolves ... donning a double-breasted Jacquard Wool Jacket -- a special piece with a $4,150 price tag.

The shoes appear to be the LV Trainer Maxi sneakers (inspired by the late Virgil Abloh) ... and if that's the case, they run $1,690.

LeBron and Bronny James are expected to make history as the first father-son duo to play in the NBA together on Tuesday ... that is, if Bronny can even make it to the game on time -- 'cause the King completely filled the rookie's car in cereal!!

The Lakers teammates starred in a new Nike commercial that dropped just hours before their home opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves ... in which the G.O.A.T. takes part in a little rookie hazing at his own son's expense.

In the clip, LeBron is shown filling up his son's whip with boxes of Fruity Pebbles before scurrying out of sight once Bronny walks out of the house and toward the driveway.