NBA

NBA great Gary Payton will remember the late Craig Sager for his positive personality, courage, and, of course ... his flashy suits.

The Glove -- who grew close to Sager throughout his career in the Association -- says he was heartbroken when he heard that Sager lost his battle with cancer at age 65.

"Craig was always funny. He always wanted to be jokeful ... he was so genuine about us. He liked the players and we liked him. That's what made him so close to us."

Beloved sportscaster Craig Sager has died after a long battle with a form of leukemia.

Turner Sports announced his passing on Thursday. He was diagnosed back in 2014, but continued working for TNT and TBS, covering NBA and MLB games through this past summer ... including a game of the NBA Finals.

He worked for Turner for more than 30 years.

Craig was one of the most popular sports reporters with fans and the superstar athletes he covered -- who loved to playfully mock his fashion sense. Craig was famous for his bold and colorful wardrobe choices on the sidelines.

Steve Francis and his estranged wife are hammering out a divorce settlement ... even though she's calling him out with allegations of drug abuse.

In divorce docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, Shelby Francis claimed Steve has "severe substance issues" ... and asked a judge to order him to undergo random drug and alcohol testing. She also claims Steve's been to rehab "prior to and during the divorce" ... which was filed in June 2015.

The ex-NBA great has dealt with rampant speculation about possible drug use -- and, in fact, vehemently denied there was an issue when he talked to us last year.

Shelby's lawyer, Chad Pinkerton, tells us the exes reached an agreement through mediation last week. He says final docs haven't been filed, but they're close.

It's been an up-and-down season for the Boston Celtics ... but that's not keeping superfan Mark Wahlberg from staying positive ... saying the Celtics will finish with one of the best records in the East.

Boston was predicted to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference ... but currently sit just a couple games above .500 at 13-11.

So, when we saw Mark in NYC promoting his new movie "Patriots Day," we asked about the teams less-than-stellar start.

Mark ain't worried though ... saying it's WAYYY too early to freak out, predicting that the Celts will finish with either the 3rd or 4th seed in the East.

The L.A. Lakers have reportedly 86'd plans to stay at the Trump SoHo hotel on road trips to NYC ... citing "security concerns" as the reason they can't lay their heads on Trump's pillows.

According to a report by the L.A. Times, the Lakers were concerned about protests happening outside the hotel ... so they opted to take their business elsewhere.

TMZ Sports spoke to the NYPD ... who told us they have no "knowledge of security threats to that location" ... adding it's "all clear down there."

FYI -- 3 NBA teams have publicly ceased business relationships with Trump hotels due to politics ... however, an unnamed source told the Times the Lakers' decision is NOT "politically motivated."

Kobe Bryant's third feat got the triple B treatment.

TMZ Sports has obtained a copy of Kobe and Vanessa's brand new baby certificate and it lists her full name -- Bianka Bella Bryant! She was born at exactly 4:09 PM at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach.

DeAndre Jordan was a very happy man on Friday after being awarded joint custody of his 1-year-old son ... the latest in a custody war with his baby mama.

LeBron James and company pulled an awesome gag on fans Friday night ... "Rickrolling" the sell out crowd before dominating the Miami Heat.

The Cavaliers held '80s Night at The Q in Cleveland ... and when it came time for starting lineups, the scoreboard switched from its standard pump-up vid to the prank.

LeBron with long hair looks ... good? And Khloe Kardashian might want Tristan Thompson to bring home that Jheri curl wig.

Just for giggles, check out LeBron Jr. after the game -- the 12-year-old sunk a half-court shot like it was nothing. Get that kid an awful 80s outfit.

Khloe Kardashian's free to start planning a Christmas wedding to Tristan Thompson, now that she and Lamar Odom are finally single in the eyes of the law ... or they will be very shortly.

According to their final divorce docs, stamped by the judge ... their split will be legal on December 17. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, the exes both waived spousal support. As for their assets ... Khloe and Lamar are splitting their production company, Khlomar, and a checking account right down the middle.

She's keeping her interest in DASH Boutique and he's keeping his NBA 401(k) plan. They'd already sold their marital home, and Khloe's keeping the Calabasas home where she currently lives.

This brings their glacial-paced divorce proceedings to a close. Khloe first filed divorce docs in December 2013, withdrew it after his near-fatal OD ... and then refiled in May 2016.

The end.

Chris Paul is super happy that his friend, Kobe Bryant, just had his 3rd baby girl -- but he has a message for the NBA legend ... "Keep going 'til you get a boy!"

Kobe Bryant has another three-peat under his belt ... 'cause his wife, Vanessa, has given birth to the couple's third child ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The Bryants announced some time ago they were expecting another little girl ... and we've confirmed the bouncing baby mamba was born this week in the OC.

Of course, 38-year-old Bryant has a lot of time to play daddy now ... he's retired from the Lakers and committed himself to more important life pursuits ... like ridding the family home of pesky intruders.

CONGRATS!!!

He's usually a chatty guy ... but John Elway shut down when asked about the Von Miller sex tape case Wednesday night.

The Broncos GM was leaving Madeo with his smokin' hot wife when we asked how he felt about his biggest star being involved in a crazy sex tape war. It's clear it's a touchy subject.

Elway was down to talk the last time Von was involved in a big controversy -- saying it was "too bad" when Miller cut Elway out of a White House photo because he was mad about contract negotiations.

Howard Stern, Tracy Morgan, Jimmy Fallon, Bill O'Reilly ... a TON of huge stars hit MSG Wednesday night to watch LeBron and the Cavs take on the Knicks ... and we got the video.

The footage sorta feels like that old 'SNL' sketch with Rob Schneider by the copy machine -- "Tracy! Trace! The Trace Man!"

Still, cool to see all the big celebs.

As for the game, the Cavs killed NY ... 126-94.

They play 'em at home again in February ... we'll see who shows up for that one.

Knicks guard Brandon Jennings says the team is fully aware LeBron James will try to punish the team for Phil Jackson's "posse" comment in Wednesday night's game -- but he has a message for the King to hear ...

WE AIN'T NEVA SCUURRRED!!!!

TMZ Sports spoke to Brandon ... whose Knicks are playing pretty well ... and asked him if the team is ready for a potentially angry LeBron to show up at Madison Square Garden tonight.

Why would Bron be mad? This is the first meeting of the teams since Knicks Prez Phil Jackson referred to Bron's business team as a "posse" ... offending Bron in the process.

Jennings -- who's getting the start tonight with Derrick Rose out -- says the squad knows LeBron is motivated ... but they're ready for it all.

Matt Barnes and DeMarcus Cousins have just been SUED over the nightclub brawl at Avenue in NYC this week ... with the alleged victims claiming they were brutalized by the NBA stars.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the Sacramento Kings teammates were involved in a violent altercation with two people at the VIP booth next to them around 3 AM on Dec. 5.

According to the lawsuit filed in NYC, Jasmine Besiso and Myrone Powell claim they were innocently hanging out when Barnes approached Jasmine and began to choke her.

In the suit, Powell says he saw the attack and tried to intervene but that's when Cousins stepped in and punched him in the face.

At that point, Barnes allegedly released Jasmine's neck and elbowed her in the face -- knocking her unconscious. Myrone claims he was taken to the ground and Barnes and Cousins proceeded to kick and punch him in the head and body.

The NYPD was called to the scene but Barnes and Cousins had left by the time they arrived.

A rep for the alleged victims calls the incident a "vicious and unprovoked attack" And says Cousins' initial blow was a "blindside punch."

The rep also says the two were transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital where they were treated for "serious injuries."

A rep for Barnes has previously told us that the NBA stars were the real victims -- who were attacked by the other clubgoers over an accidental bump in the VIP section.

Golden State Warriors players and coaches have stepped up to donate $75,000 to the Oakland fire relief efforts ... just days after a deadly warehouse blaze took the lives of 36 people.

Steph Curry, Draymond Green and fellow Warriors teammates made a brief PSA at practice asking fans to contribute to the cause.

"We're all devastated by the recent Oakland fire that claimed so many lives and affected so many others," Curry says. "As players, we are joining forces to make a donation to the relief efforts."

The donation comes on top of the organization's $50,000 contribution to relief efforts announced last Saturday.