Jaime Jaquez Jr. is the current favorite to win the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award ... but he tells TMZ Sports he's not thinking about his trophy case ... all he wants to do is win games.
The Miami Heat role player has been great off the bench this season ... averaging nearly 16 points a game, 5.8 rebounds, and five assists a contest so far.
When we caught up with the 24-year-old this week ... he said he's doing his best to keep the team first ... and not let the online chatter about his chances at 6MOY get to him.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier officially entered a not guilty plea in Federal court on Monday ... following his shocking October arrest in connection with the betting scandal that rocked the NBA!
Rozier -- wearing a grey two-piece suit -- and accompanied by his mother and lawyer, Jim Trusty, appeared in the Brooklyn courthouse for his arraignment this afternoon.
The 10-year NBA veteran was arrested following a federal investigation into illegal gambling. Rozier was cuffed and hauled away from a hotel in Orlando after the Heat's game against the Magic.
Spoelstra -- the Miami Heat head coach since 2008 -- addressed reporters at practice ... just 24 hours after his shooting guard was taken into custody.
He initially said he couldn't comment much due to the ongoing case ... but made it clear Rozier means a lot to him and the team.
6:53 AM PT -- Sotheby's released a statement to TMZ Sports regarding the allegedly stolen LeBron James jersey they auctioned off.
UPDATE
"Sotheby’s is fully cooperating with law enforcement and, out of respect for the ongoing investigation, will not comment further at this time."
A former Miami Heat security officer has been charged with a felony after he allegedly stole millions of dollars worth of items from the team, including over 400 game-worn jerseys.
The U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Florida claimed on Tuesday that 62-year-old Marcos Thomas Perez stole items when he had access to the Kaseya Center equipment room during his time as a Heat staffer -- and later, an NBA security employee -- from 2016 to 2025.
"This equipment room stored hundreds of game-worn jerseys," the feds said, "and other memorabilia that the organization intended to display in a future Miami Heat museum."
Ashton Hall became an internet sensation with his insane daily routines, but he elected to stay out way past his early bedtime on Monday ... thanks to his courtside seats at the Miami Heat game!!
Don't worry, though -- he still got up at the ass crack of dawn for his Tuesday morning workout.
Hall -- who recently went viral for his bizarre 4 AM exercise regimen -- was captured sitting with his feet on wood at the Kaseya Center in Miami for a contest against the Philadelphia 76ers ... and his fans were shocked to see him being a night owl.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra's ex-wife, Nikki, is setting the record straight after wild rumors made rounds on social media ... adamantly denying she's hooking up with Miami hooper Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The speculation went viral on Sunday ... with internet users claiming Nikki's interactions with the 24-year-old forward/guard's Instagram page gave reason to believe she was moving on from her ex with one of his own players.
Some also pointed out one of Nikki's recent posts about dating men below 25 and how it was more beneficial because they're easier to manipulate.
Jimmy Butlerwas traded to the Warriors while his now former team, the Miami Heat, was in the middle of a game, so the players had no clue the big deal was made ... until a fan near the bench broke the news!
Butler -- who was suspended by the Heat a few weeks back for "conduct detrimental" to the team -- was the main piece in a three-team trade ... which saw the embattled NBA star heading to San Francisco, in a deal that also included Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a projected top 10 pick in 2025.
The Heat pulled the trigger on the big move while the squad played the 76ers in Philadelphia. Because players don't have phones on the bench, they had no idea what had just gone down.
Doesn't seem Jimmy Butler's sweating his latest Heat suspension ... 'cause just hours after the hooper's team hit him with a two-game ban, he was seen yuckin' it up with famed comedian Andrew Schulz at a swanky party.
TMZ Sports has learned Butler made his way to the Reserve Cup Draft & Dinner hosted by Moncayo Ocean Club on Wednesday night ... mere hours after he was punished by the Heat for missing the team's flight to Milwaukee for its upcoming road matchup with the Bucks.
Butler, who wasn't expected at the event, didn't appear to care one bit about the trouble with his employer ... as he smiled big while rubbing elbows with a bunch of celebs, including Schulz, Jerry Jeudy and Wayne Boich.
LeBron James' presence brought a young courtside fan to tears at a Lakers game Wednesday ... and the King was so moved by her emotions, he just had to meet her after he wrapped up the win.
The heartwarming scene all unfolded during L.A.'s tilt with the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena ... when James waved at a little girl who was wearing his jersey.
The youngster couldn't help but break down in tears after seeing her idol acknowledge her ... and James told reporters after the game he became aware of her reaction at halftime -- so he decided to spend a few moments with her following L.A.'s 117-108 dub.
Another legal issue has just cropped up for Conor McGregor ... TMZ Sports has confirmed the UFC superstar has been sued over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman during an NBA game back in 2023.
The suit was filed in a federal court in Florida on Tuesday ... by a woman ID'ed only as "Jane Doe."
June 2023
TMZSports.com
She alleges in her court docs that at some point during the Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets playoff game on June 9, 2023 at the Kesaya Center in Miami, McGregor led her into a men's restroom near the arena's nightclub, and sexually assaulted her inside of a stall.
Jimmy Butler's time in Miami is all but over ... days after the 6x All-Star made it clear he wanted out, the Pat Riley led org. suspended "Jimmy Buckets," and blasted the former first-round pick in the process!
"We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks," the Heat said in a statement Friday evening.
"Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers."
The NBA just punished Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson for his role in Sunday's scrap with Tyler Herro ... handing down a two-game suspension.
The Association announced the penalty in a statement ... days after Thompson and Herro were ejected from the Rockets vs. Heat game for starting an on-court brawl at the Toyota Center.
During the incident, Thompson tossed Herro to the ground WWE-style before an inbound pass late in the fourth quarter ... with the two sides jawing and grabbing at each other's jerseys right before the big moment.
The NBA turned into the WWE on Sunday ... when Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson threw Miami Heat star Tyler Herro to the hardwood during an intense altercation -- resulting in utter chaos.
The wild moment happened with just over 30 seconds left in the Heat's 104-100 road win over the Rockets ... when Thompson was applying heavy pressure on Herro ahead of an inbound pass.
Dwyane Wade's son, Zaire, is calling on everyone to keep the jokes and memes coming about the Miami Heat legend's new statue ... telling TMZ Sports all the silly comments only make it that much more of a must-see attraction!!
We caught up with the future Hall of Famer's oldest out at LAX this week ... and asked him what the fam REALLY thinks of the team's permanent tribute to Dwyane outside the Kaseya Center -- especially after all the reactions it got on social media.
It turns out D-Wade wasn't lying when he said he loved it ... 'cause Zaire doubled down and said that's how they all feel about the honor.
Scary scene on the NBA hardwood Tuesday night ... Pistons wing Tim Hardaway Jr. terrifyingly slammed his head on the ground -- and needed a wheelchair to leave the game.
The scene all unfolded in the third quarter of Detroit's matchup with the Heat at Little Caesars Arena ... when Hardaway Jr. attempted to play some physical defense against Tyler Herro.
The wheelchair comes out for Tim Hardaway Jr., who took two hard hits to the head on the same possession. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/hcbqeoEbML
The 32-year-old stepped in front of the driving Miami star in an effort to draw a charge ... but Herro was coming in with so much speed, he knocked Hardaway Jr. to the floor.
Tyler Herro was more focused on combat than hoops after the Miami Heat's preseason win on Tuesday ... 'cause his postgame interview came to a screeching halt due to a scrap in the stands!!
The wild moment went down shortly after the home squad secured the 120-117 win over the San Antonio Spurs ... and despite the contest not having any real significance, a few spectators decided it was a night worth fighting for.
It's unclear what led to the brawl ... but footage shows three guys throwing a slew of punches in the Kaseya Center seats, with a woman in a row above also getting involved by swinging at the group.
