Indiana Pacers

10:47 AM PT -- Larry Bird (President of the Pacers) just ripped George over the comments ... saying, "Paul George's tweets from earlier were thoughtless and without regard to the subject of domestic violence and its seriousness in society."

Paul George's leg must be okay ... 'cause he's backpedaling HARD after tweeting out some STUPID comments about the Ray Rice situation.

The Indiana Pacers star came under fire IMMEDIATELY after writing, "I don't condone hittin women or think it's coo BUT if SHE ain't trippin then I ain't trippin.. Lets keep it movin lol let that man play!"

Stupid.

Then it got worse ... with George writing, "If you in a relationship and a woman hit you first and attacking YOU.. Then you obviously ain't beatin HER. Homie made A bad choice! #StayUp"

Were you even watching the same tape?? It wasn't exactly self defense, dude.

Didn't take long for George to realize he screwed up -- and less than an hour later, tweeted, "Let me apologize to the women and to the VICTIMS of domestic violence people my intent was not to downplay the situation."

Lance Stephenson had a helluva Tuesday night ... 'cause hours after he became a dad again, the NBA star was celebrating at an NYC nightclub ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Stephenson's baby mama Feby Torres announced the birth of Lance Jr. on March 18th -- the same night the Indiana Pacers star was scheduled to appear at Greenhouse NYC.

Well, Lance isn't one to bail on a commitment ... and sources at the club tell us he rolled in late Tuesday night -- and popped Bottega Rose champagne and sipped on D'Ussé cognac with some of his pals from the Pacers.

But after he put in his time at the club, we're told Lance returned to the hospital to be with his family.

And if that wasn't enough ... Lance also played in a game the next night and CRUSHED IT -- leading the team in scoring and rebounds.

Indiana Pacers superstar Paul George tells TMZ Sports ... he never EVER offered to pay a woman $1 million to abort her unborn child -- but if the kid is his, he's ready and willing to do the right thing.

We're told ... back in 2013, George had a relationship with a woman from Miami named "Daniela" -- a woman who is currently pregnant. The releationship went through the end of the summer ... but in November, Daniela informed George she was pregnant and she believes he is the father.

In a statement to TMZ Sports, George says ... "If and when there is legal confirmation that I am the father, I will fully embrace my responsibilities. This is a personal matter that is still being sorted out, so I hope you can respect my privacy. "

There are rumors that George offered the woman $1 mil to abort the baby -- but George's camp is adamant that's total B.S.

A spokesman tells us, "There is no truth to the rumors that Paul offered money for [Daniela] not to have the child."

Ex-Pacers stud Austin Croshere just pledged his support for Andew Bynum ... telling TMZ Sports, Indiana's head coach Frank Vogel will REVIVE the fallen superstar's career.

The former 1st round pick -- and current Pacers analyst -- was in Malibu ... when he told us there's no doubt the struggling 7-footer will turn things around with Vogel's help.

The former All-Star center signed with the Pacers earlier this week ... after bouncing around the league amidst rumors he had lost his interest in basketball.

But Croshere says the Pacers 40-year-old coach Vogel will succeed in getting through to Bynum ... where veteran guys like Mike Brown and Tom Thibodeau failed.

NBA star George Hill stands by his decision to ditch the Team USA basketball training camp to attend a kids charity event instead ... even if it means he blew his shot to don the red, white and blue.

The Pacers guard shocked the sports world last month, when he bailed on Team USA's invite-only camp to attend a bball camp for kids in Texas -- a move that could cost him any chance of making the team.

So when our photog spotted him in L.A. Sunday, he had to ask -- are there any regrets now that he's had a few weeks to reflect on blowing a HUGE opportunity?

NBA star Lance Stephenson isn't going to the Finals ... or to Disneyland -- but it's ok, because he did get to see a roomful of naked chicks at a famous Miami strip club ... TMZ has learned.

Just hours after Lance and the Indiana Pacers lost game 7 to the Miami Heat Monday ... the shooting guard eased his pain at King of Diamonds -- the gentleman's club where Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Rihanna frequently make it rain.

Lance on the other hand ... made it sprinkle. Our KOD sources say the 22-year-old stood in the corner most of the night, only got 2 lap dances, and dropped a grand total of about $1100.

Not that $1100 is chump change, but typically we've seen celebs shower dancers with $5,000 to $10,000.

In Lance's defense ... he's only a 3-year pro who's hardly making LeBron dollars.

Or maybe he just adheres to the laws of BBD.