Basketball

7:50 PM PT -- Diddy's attorneys tell us, "As we've said before, Mr. Combs cannot respond to every new publicity stunt, even in response to claims that are facially ridiculous or demonstrably false. Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone -- man or woman, adult or minor."

Diddy is facing a new rape allegation, one that dates back to before he was famous ... and the alleged victim says it went down during an already infamous NYC event.

The accuser, who's filing as a Jane Doe, says she was attending a December 1991 charity basketball event at the City College of New York, which was co-sponsored by a then up-and-coming producer, Sean "Puffy" Combs.

She and a friend were invited by an unnamed rapper set to appear at the event, she claims in the lawsuit -- when she and her friend arrived, she says the crowd outside was large and getting unruly, and she convinced a security guard to let her and the friend in early.

LeBron James' daughter is just like her NBA superstar pops on the court -- 'cause Zhuri is proudly repping the same number he's notably worn over the years for her volleyball team ... and he couldn't be more proud!!

The Los Angeles Lakers champ shared photos of 10-year-old Zhuri in her City Volleyball Club gear on Friday ... while sharing a special message wishing her the best of luck in the upcoming season.

"🥰🥰😍😍🤎🤎🤎 YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!" LeBron said in the IG caption. "LET'S GO BABY Z!!"

Dennis Rodman's bad dad apology to his soccer star daughter Trinity fell flat ... with the Olympic gold medalist calling the mea culpa a "joke," and declaring she's done trying to fix her relationship with her pops.

The drama came to a head earlier this week when the Washington Spirit forward appeared on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast and called out her absentee father, accusing him of only showing up for PR stunts.

"He's not a dad," Trinity said. "Maybe by blood, but nothing else."

Karl-Anthony Towns' return to Minnesota was interrupted by a couple of models who stormed the court in the middle of the game ... and as it turns out, this wasn't their first time causing chaos at a sporting event in the past week.

The moment went down two minutes before halftime on Thursday -- after the Knicks called for a timeout, two women in white jerseys bolted from their good seats and attempted to sprint onto the hardwood.

TMZ Sports has learned the ladies in question are Toochi Kash and Amberghini -- the same pair who rushed the field at Levi's Stadium when the San Francisco 49ers hosted the L.A. Rams.

It wasn't quite the Malice at the Palace, but fists were nearly flying during the Pistons vs. Jazz game in Detroit, with Jordan Clarkson and Ron Holland squaring up to fight during the game!

The altercation occurred Thursday night during the 3rd quarter of the Jazz vs. Pistons game at the Little Ceasars Arena (The Palace of Auburn Hills was demolished in '20) ... when Pistons center Paul Reed bumped and shoved Clarkson while running up the court after a layup, which Jordan didn't appreciate.

Reed's teammate, 19-year-old Holland, then stepped to Clarkson ... and both guys squared off, just feet from one of the referees.

Dennis Rodman is apologizing to his estranged daughter Trinity -- writing a lengthy and emotional social media post -- after the U.S. soccer star went on a podcast and blasted her pops for being an absent dad.

"I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time," Rodman said in the IG post.

"I’m always here and tell you all the time rather it’s your voice or voicemail how proud I am. I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me."

Damian Lillard is having a solid week -- not only did his Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, it is now being reported he has agreed to a lifetime extension with Adidas.

According to ESPN, the 34-year-old reached the deal after his most recent contract with the company expired last offseason.

Lillard -- who signed with the organization in 2012 -- will now join an exclusive list of athletes who have a lifetime shoe endorsement ... including Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

File this under the easiest decision ever ... the Iowa Hawkeyes announced they will retire Caitlin Clark's iconic number 22 jersey next year!

The school dropped the announcement Wednesday, saying the ceremony will take place during the team's matchup against USC on February 2 (2/2), playing off the number worn by Clark during her four years at IU.

"I'm forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball," Clark said in a statement. "It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni."

Jared McCain wasn't about to let surgery keep him from the content game -- the Philadelphia 76ers rookie wasted no time hopping on TikTok after having a procedure done on his knee ... singing a Drake song while he was still drugged up!!

The guard went under the knife on Wednesday to fix his torn left lateral meniscus ... an injury he suffered against the Indiana Pacers last week.

McCain is known to be a TikTok enthusiast and rap fan ... so once the doctors finished up his knee, it shouldn't be all that surprising the 20-year-old went straight to the app to give fans an update.

Safe to say Kevin Durant isn't a fan of the new 2025 All-Star Game format that was made official on Tuesday ... 'cause the Phoenix Suns superstar was unfiltered in his take on the major changes -- calling them straight-up "terrible."

The Association dropped the details of the new and so-called "improved" layout ... introducing a mini-tournament featuring four teams and three games.

Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Candace Parker will serve as team managers.

The Charlotte Hornets are looking to make things right after giving a PS5 to a young fan during an in-game segment -- just to take it back off-camera -- 'cause the team tells TMZ Sports it is working to return the game console to the kid.

The whole debacle went down during a break in the action of the Hornets' home matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers ... when the team's mascot, Hugo, played Santa and hooked young fans up with special gifts.

The moment seemed AWESOME as the boy was handed a brand-new PS5 ... but a text exchange posted on social media shortly after claimed it was all for show -- as he was forced to fork it back over when they were no longer in eyesight of the rest of the fans in attendance.

New York Knicks guard Cameron Payne has just closed out his fake name criminal case ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Court records we've obtained show Payne cut a deal with prosecutors on Monday to put everything in his rearview mirror ... agreeing to plead guilty to one misdemeanor count of false report to law enforcement.

In exchange, officials dismissed the refusal to provide truthful name charge he had also been facing.

Phoenix Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale -- famously known as the "Original Sun" -- has passed away, the team announced Monday. He was 81 years old.

The Suns shared the heartbreaking news just minutes ago ... saying, "Our thoughts are with his friends and family, including his twin brother and Suns teammate, Tom, during this difficult time."

Van Arsdale was a star for the Indiana Hoosiers from 1962-65 ... earning All-American honors alongside his identical twin, Tom.

Lamar Odom's certainly no Grinch ... 'cause he handed out toys to thousands of kids Saturday -- though the notorious Christmas villain did make an appearance.

The former basketball star cohosted a toy drive with Steve Pazmany -- star of "Fully Torqued" on History Channel -- with the help of LAPD Devonshire PALS Center, an org that helps fund after-school programs for kids.

After taking a pic with Pazmany and the Grinch, Lamar walked around the giant warehouse full of toys ... and, check it out 'cause it look like they've got enough to fill Santa's sleigh a few times over.

Shaquille O'Neal is opening up on his decision to go above and beyond to help the youth every holiday season ... admitting he used to be a "high-level juvenile delinquent," but is doing everything in his power to make his mama proud now.

The four-time NBA champion chopped it up with Charles and Babcock on "TMZ Live" after another successful annual "Shaq-A-Claus" event ... where he handed out tons of toys, clothes, tech and food to more than a thousand youngins in Georgia.

Shaq credits his mother -- Lucille O'Neal -- for coming up with the idea for the event ... and considering he wasn't on his best behavior growing up, he's making amends with his actions in the present.

Bronny James had by far the best game of his professional basketball career on Thursday ... dropping 30 points in his G League road debut.

LeBron James' son stuffed the stat line by going 13-23 and adding three rebounds, two assists and a steal on the night ... although his notable performance didn't result in a dub, as the Valley Suns defeated the South Bay Lakers, 106-100.

It's certainly a step in the right direction for the 20-year-old former USC Trojan -- his previous G League high was 16 points ... and this most recent outing has now boosted his average to 14 points a game.